Berkshire Business Journal October 2025

Seeding ideas

Six startups hope to take root through the Berkshire Innovation Center’s Stage 2 Accelerator program.

Page 2

Berkshire Business Journal

Rockwell drawing dollars

Museum honored for impact on tourism, cultural economy

BY TALIA L ISSAUER

STOCKBRIDGE — In her 40 years at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Laurie Norton Moffatt said, one of her favorite things is seeing visitors react to the 998 original paintings and drawings and 10,000 other items from Rockwell’s archive.

“I think if one were to observe the reactions and real happiness of visitors who are in the Norman Rockland museum galleries,” she said. “It would be immediately apparent that it is a joyful, uplifting, thoughtful experience that leaves people feeling happier than when they arrived.”

Home to the largest collection of Norman Rockwell original art and his studio, the museum celebrates art and human connection by honoring the iconic American artist, who spent his last 25 years in the Berkshires. It has seen 6.7 million visitors from around the globe since it opened its doors in

1967, and it has traveled to 47 states and seven countries — bringing Berkshire joy along with it.

In fiscal 2025, the museum saw 117,599 visitors, providing an estimated $16.7 million jolt to the Berkshire economy.

And for that powerful impact on the local economy, the museum last month was honored at the 1Berkshire Trendsetter Awards with this year’s “Putting the Berkshires on the Map” award.

1Berkshire, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the county’s economy, cited the museum’s “strong foothold in the Berkshire tourism and creative economy clusters.”

“The Museum has expanded its reach far beyond the region,” according to a statement from the organization. “And yet, it has remained firmly rooted in the Berkshires, enriching the local economy and reinforcing the

ROCKWELL, Page 4

Startups hope to take root at BIC

ENSO, a startup focused on behavioral health, is developing an artificial intelligence-powered

most vulnerable to relapse or slipping back into harmful habits.

By M aryjane Willia Ms PITTSFIELD

— From self-charging phone cases to weed-killing robots, six startups are betting their big ideas can take root in the city.

These early-stage technology firms have been accepted into the Berkshire Innovation Center’s Stage 2 Accelerator Program, a 35-week initiative that offers entrepreneurs access to labs, high-tech equipment, a digital media studio, mentorship, and training.

Launched in 2023, the program is designed to support startups with working prototypes and strong technical teams who need resources to scale.

“The program is not about chasing unicorns — it’s about helping smart, mission-driven founders take the next step,” BIC Executive Director Ben Sosne wrote in The Eagle.

Past participants, such as Noble Carbon, which developed smart circuit breaker technology that gives users real-time insights into their energy consumption, now call the BIC home.

This year’s cohort includes companies tackling energy, agriculture, behavioral health and artificial intelligence: DIEL TECHNOLOGIES

Run by a team of four recent UMass Amherst graduates, Diel Technologies is developing a phone case that charges devices throughout the day using the owner’s movement.

“We found a way to convert movement into energy,” co-founder Benjamin Hyjek said. “It’s an axial flux motor made out of the printed circuit board that we can put into different devices. So it’s really good for mobile devices like cellphones, wearables.”

The team plans to use the BIC’s labs and equipment to speed up prototyping and production, while also connecting with other entrepreneurs and mentors to help the business evolve.

“[The BIC] is an actual community… I think that that’s going to really help us propel,” co-founder Rishi Nandurbarkar said. “They’ll help us with our progression of actually building things out and

then manufacturing on a larger scale, but also just the internal connections that they can provide us with so that we can get the funding that we need, so we can get ideas from other people.”

GLOBE GROWN

Drawing on her father’s experience as a farmer, Globe Grown founder and CEO Marie-Pascale Ruberandinda is creating an autonomous system that uses lasers to precisely target weeds in crops such as cotton, soybeans and corn. The technology is also designed to give farmers daily data on soil health and crop conditions.

“I study international development, so I was always passionate about sustainability and anything that will help the environment,” Ruberandinda said.

Based in Dallas, the company is using its time in the rural Berkshires to get feedback from BIC members and connect with farmers who may be interested in adopting or piloting the technology.

“In Tennessee and Texas, I didn’t have access to farmland right away to be able to do the piloting,” she said. “So this is going to be wonderful for us to actually interact with farmers and…it’s easier for deployment and all that.”

TASK MIND

Task Mind is a new AI-driven platform designed to help sales teams work more efficiently by providing them with real-time industry insights, company research and tools to craft more targeted and effective outreach.

“We have hopes that we can improve the workflows for these high-ticket B2B sales industries,” said Tyler Norcross, a co-founder of Task Mind. B2B sales are business-to-business sales, where one company sells products or services to another company.

Created by two college students out of New Hampshire, TaskMind is purely software-based, setting the company apart from the other hardware-based startups in the program. Still, Norcross is looking forward to seeing what resources the BIC can offer.

“I’m excited to see where the program

will take us, and who we can meet, who we can network with, and kind of how it can kick start our company,” he said.

ENSO

ENSO, a startup focused on behavioral health, is developing an artificial intelligence-powered behavior management system aimed at offering emotional support when people are most vulnerable to relapse or slipping back into harmful habits.

“Our solution combines proven, science-backed interventions such as calming haptics, guided meditation, journaling, and the power of social reinforcement through recorded messages from loved ones to remind people of the promises they have made to themselves,” CEO Hessan Sedaghat said in an email. “Instead of focusing on biometrics like heart rate or steps (as many health tools do), ENSO is designed to provide real-time emotional and behavioral support.”

The company’s initial focus is on substance use disorders, but Sedaghat said the platform could also be adapted to address other compulsive behaviors and even loneliness. ENSO plans to make the tool accessible through a mobile app, smartwatch and its own dedicated wearable for distraction-free support.

Sedaghat said joining the BIC’s accelerator program offers the right environment for the company’s next stage of growth.

“We see this program as a catalyst that bridges the gap between innovation and impact,” he said. “ENSO has already shown traction… but to place ENSO in the hands of thousands, we need to refine our hardware, strengthen our data, and prepare for large-scale deployment. The Berkshire Innovation Center provides the expertise, mentorship, and ecosystem of collaborators that will accelerate that journey.”

ELIMENTRA TECHNOLOGIES

Elimentra Technologies is develop-

PROVIDED BY BENJAMIN HYJEK

The Diel Technologies team of recent UMass graduates, from left, Max Loper, Rishi Nandurbarkar, Florian Sabatini, and Benjamin Hyjek, is developing a phone case that charges devices throughout the day using the owner’s movement.

ing technology to capture carbon using waste materials and repurpose it into useful products.

“If you can take waste and turn it into a valuable product, that’s a win win,” said co-founder Benjamin Lamb.

“Because we’re diverting waste from landfills and turning into something of use for the future.”

Lamb, along with co-founders Rai Kirtley and Rishabh Sardana, previously went through the Massachusetts Climatetech Studio, which connects new technologies from labs with teams formed through an application process.

Lamb said the team sees three major benefits from joining the program: expanding its network, collaborating with other startups, and having a physical home base.

“The BIC has a really strong network that they’ve developed over the last five years, and we see a lot of points of contact where building relationships

MORRISON'S

makes sense, both with members and with the organizations the BIC is connected to,” he said.

Currently operating without a fixed location, the company is considering making the Berkshires its home as it grows through the program, Lamb said.

HKG ENERGY

The company has created a new material called Terra Silicon, designed to overcome the cost, scalability and performance challenges of traditional graphite and silicon-graphite battery anodes. The material has shown an energy density of more than 400 Wh/kg and can charge in under 15 minutes.

With a path toward large-scale production, HKG Energy is now in talks with major automakers and battery manufacturers on early pilot projects, according to a press release from the BIC.

HKG founders were not available for an interview.

OF

Drawing on her father’s experience as a farmer, Globe Grown founder and CEO Marie-Pascale Ruberandinda is creating an autonomous system that uses lasers to precisely target weeds in crops such as cotton, soybeans and corn.

OF BENJAMIN

Benjamin Lamb of Elimentra Technologies is developing technology to capture carbon using waste materials and repurpose it into useful products.

PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Rockwell

county’s reputation as a world-class arts destination.”

Norton Moffatt, the museum’s director and CEO, said the recognition is special because it’s proof of how Norman Rockwell’s art can bring people across the world together.

“It was incumbent upon us as a museum to share his work with the nation and that’s how we’ve been able to contribute to the larger recognition of this region as a very special place with a long history of creativity and talent and people have helped to make the world a better place,” she said.

It’s also special because it comes at the close of Norton Moffatt’s decades-long tenure: she announced in May that she will be retiring next year. She gave the board around a year to find a replacement, but it also invited her to look back over her time and really take in her final moments working at the museum.

“So it’s offered me time for reflection and also celebration of the work we’ve all done together in our community,” said Norton Moffatt, who oversaw the construction and updating of the museum and has arranged over 240 exhibits. “With my colleagues, our trustees, and the many volunteers with whom we work, the business community that we partner with, and so many opportunities for reflection and gratitude.”

For decades, the museum has had an influence on the economy and has found

new ways to bring people to the Berkshires through its national marketing, but has never been recognized with the award, now in its 12th year. With Norton Moffatt stepping away next year, the timing seemed right, said Jonathan Butler, CEO and president of 1Berkshire.

“It’s a combination of long-term achievement and relevance to the moment,” he said. “It’s one of the key organizations for the Berkshire economy, and it continues to expand and draw eyes to the Berkshires.

In the recent decade, the museum has taken a number of steps to expand the museum’s reach through digital exhibits and YouTube educational content. While technically a business decision, Norton Moffatt said the move to begin organizing exhibits outside the region also connects to the obligation she feels to share Rockwell’s art with the world.

“We wanted to be sure that people in all quadrants of our geography were able to experience Norman Rockwell’s art firsthand,” she said. “And this helps make the museum known, and then our location known. So people learn about the Berkshires by experiencing the work we do in other places.”

She noted Rockwell was known for capturing the range of human emotions — deep sadness at times of difficult historical events, joy in everyday life, and meaningful moments.

“I think the Norman Rockwell’s ability to capture our very human moments, moments that maybe we don’t pause and take time to observe ourselves, invites our reflection when we’re in the

galleries,” she said, “and he just reminds us of the importance of community, of kindness, of taking care of each other and and he does it with a smile and some humor.”

Rockwell lived to be 84 and was painting through part of four generations and moments in history. Norton Moffatt said his work remains timeless because he was painting a reflection of culture and society through those eras.

“There are so many generations of mo-

ments that we can look at today where people are experiencing similar historical moments, similar life moments, similar life passages, so we recognize ourselves,” she said. “And this is why Rockwell’s art will continue to resonate long into the future, because it’s the art that tells our story, our human story, and it’s something that touches people’s hearts deeply.”

Talia Lissauer can be reached at tlissauer@ berkshireeagle.com and 413-496-6378.

Business updates

LENOX

Renaissance Investment Group celebrates 25 years Renaissance Investment Group recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gathering at the Gateways Inn — just next door to its office at 45 Walker St. Tom Malinowski, one of the four founding partners, reflected on the first decade from the original concept of founding a wealth management business, and emphasized the company’s fiduciary responsibility to its clients. This includes personalized investment management and financial counseling as the central part of the group’s engagement with its clients, unlike the industry trend toward commoditizing investment management clients into often unsuitable investment choices and standardized financial planning products.

Trevor Forbes, president and chief investment officer, discussed how this approach has been developed bringing in more, specifically international expertise. He also spoke about the change in ownership nine years ago from Berkshire Bank to independence again. Despite all the changes, he said, the central guiding principal toward engagement with clients had remained true to the founder’s principles.

CEO Chris Silipigno provided an update on the significant growth in the size of the business over the last seven years, the recruitment of new, younger talent and his plans for the future. He emphasized planned development through continuity, emphasizing the importance of retaining the service of talented individuals in terms of investment management and financial counseling with an unwavering commitment to deep client relationships.

“With nearly three quarters of a billion dollars in assets under management, serving second, third and even fourth generation clients across the entire US, Renaissance has grown tremendously in size and scope over its 25 years in business,” he said. “And we’re equally excited to expand our footprint together with our strategic partners, while staying true to our founding principles, in the coming years.”

NORTH ADAMS

Lever to expand effort on affordable housing

Lever Inc., a North Adams-based economic development organization, has announced plans to expand its work with regional wood mills to help supply materials for affordable housing projects in Western Massachusetts.

Already, Lever has helped Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity procure lumber from Hall Tavern Farm, a Charlemont-based wood mill that harvests trees from a sustainably managed forest on its property. The lumber will be used for interior trim in four new homes currently being built in Williamstown.

This arrangement provides a locally sourced alternative to imported wood that had been used in Habitat’s prior projects. A short video highlighting the project and the impact of using locally sourced wood in affordable housing can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ydem4py9.

Lever is now working to replicate this model by collaborating with additional local wood mills and other regional affordable housing projects. For information, contact Lever at 413-346-4840.

This project is a continuation of Lever’s work with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts. Information: woodcraftcollaborative.org.

PITTSFIELD Co-Op bank launches community prize events

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank is launching its newest community en-

gagement initiative designed to bring fun, excitement and prizes to customers and the community.

This interactive program will feature a Cash Cube and a Spin to Win Wheel, giving participants the chance to win a variety of rewards while connecting with their community and local bank.

The Cash Cube and Spin Wheel will be featured at upcoming Co-Op events at each of its branches on the following Wednesdays:

• Oct. 15 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 70

South St.

• Oct. 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 110

Dalton Ave.

• Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 734

Williams St.

Participants at each event will have the opportunity to win a wide range of prizes, including gift cards for local businesses; 15 seconds in the Cash Cube where you can win up to $500; bank-branded swag and merchandise; 0.75 percent off an auto loan; free oneon-one financial checkup; $15 when opening a new deposit account.

The series will culminate in a grand finale event at the end of the year where one lucky winner will step inside the Cash Cube for a chance to win up to $1,000.

PITTSFIELD

Moneco Advisors opens wealth management office

Moneco Advisors has recently opened a wealth management office at 101 Hawthorne Ave.

Moneco’s multigenerational team offers in-depth financial planning that puts each client’s needs, priorities and goals at the center of its relationships.

The team works collaboratively to address the complete financial lives of clients — from answering general questions to solving the most complex wealth management challenges, according to a press release.

It has spent decades refining its client-driven approach and commitment to providing objective, unbiased support, the release stated. It strives to use its diverse experience, vast resources, and deep understanding to help give clients confidence that their financial future is in good hands.

In addition to its new office in Pittsfield, Moneco Advisors has offices in New York state, Connecticut and New Jersey. Information: monecoadvisors.com.

LANESBOROUGH

Berkshire Wind Power awards 2 scholarships

The Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corp. has selected two students from the Lanesborough/Hancock area, to receive $1,000 scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded to qualifying seniors at select schools in the Berkshires who are planning to attend either a two- or four-year college or trade school program.

This year’s recipients are Malia Koffi of Lanesborough, a 2025 graduate of Mount Greylock Regional School in Williamstown, and Dylan Turner of Hancock, a 2025 graduate of McCann Technical School in North Adams.

Koffi will attend Berkshire Community College and major in health sciences. In high school, she served as captain of the Mount Greylock softball team, as a member of the Black Student Union, and was a three-time recipient of the Greylock Way Award, which recognizes students and staff who exemplify the school’s core values of accountability, respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence in their daily lives.

Turner will attend the Elite Lineman Training Institute in Georgia. While at McCann, he played on the varsity baseball team, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in SkillsUSA, and McCann’s Corporate Work Experience, where he worked for a local electrician.

The BWPCC owns and operates the Berkshire Wind Power Project, a 12-turbine, 19.6 megawatt wind farm located

on Brodie Mountain in Hancock and Lanesborough.

DALTON

Crane foundation grant supports Elder Services

Crane Charitable Funds has awarded Elder Services of Berkshire County a $4,500 grant to support SHINE, a program that secures essential health care services for older adults by helping them navigate the array of options and requirements for joining and using Medicare and related programs.

Elder Services won the grant with the assistance of John DiTomasso, a Crane Currency employee, and his wife, Bonny DiTomasso, a SHINE volunteer counselor.

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) provides free, unbiased, up-to-date health insurance information, counseling and application assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages and their caregivers.

To schedule an appointment with a certified SHINE counselor, call Elder Services at 413-499-0524.

PITTSFIELD

United Way appoints 3 new board members

Berkshire United Way has named three community leaders — Stephanie Ham, Bethany Kieley and Jennifer Kerwood — to its board of directors.

Ham is an assistant branch manager and a member of the Digital Guru team at Adams Community Bank and has nearly two decades of retail banking experience. As a member of the bank’s culture and impact committees, she has led the annual snack drive for Morris Elementary School in Lenox as well as efforts to support POPCares, The AYJ Fund and The Alzheimer’s Association.

Kieley is the CEO of Community Health Programs and has nearly two decades of leadership experience in the health care field. She once served as a table captain for a United Way Women United’s Power of the Purse event and has volunteered with a food pantry in Connecticut and Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut.

Kerwood, the director of philanthropy at Miss Hall’s School, has almost 30 years of experience advancing the missions and fundraising for local organizations including Berkshire Community College and Berkshire United Way. Earlier, she worked in Massachusetts government and politics, mostly campaigning with Jane Swift from North Adams, the state’s first female acting governor.

Information: berkshireunitedway. org/board-directors.

ADAMS

New bank partnership aims to protect seniors

Adams Community Bank has announced a new partnership with Carefull, a financial safety platform designed to protect older adults and their families from fraud, scams and money mistakes.

Through this partnership, the bank will offer Carefull’s advanced platform to help customers monitor their accounts for signs of financial exploitation, including complicated emotional manipulation schemes like romance scams.

The platform uses proprietary technology to detect unusual activity and patterns of behavior, including duplicate payments, late or missed deposits, and actions that may indicate cognitive decline.

Adams Community Bank is the first in its region to offer a solution designed specifically to protect seniors. Carefull is now available to all deposit customers, with outreach efforts through branch teams and community events.

For more information about the partnership or to access Carefull, visit secure.getcarefull.com/acb, call 413743-0001, or visit any branch branch.

PITTSFIELD

Eversource foundation gives $17K to United Way

Eversource Energy Foundation, a longtime supporter of United Way organizations across New England, has donated $17,000 to Berkshire United Way.

This additional financial support will help BUW further invest in the work of its nonprofit partners and the people they serve, with a focus on school and career readiness, household stability and mental health.

The donations from Eversource are collected during the company’s sixweek employee and retiree annual fundraising effort.

GREAT BARRINGTON Webinar series empowers nonprofit board members

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires has partnered with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to host a webinar series titled “Empowering Berkshire Nonprofit Boards for Success.”

The sessions will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 5, 12, 19, and Oct. 3, via Zoom. The cost is $150 per organization with unlimited participation by staff and board.

Led by Andy Robinson, the series is designed to strengthen nonprofit leadership and governance. Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses and government agencies. He is the author of six books, including “Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money.”

For more information and to register, visit npcberkshires.org.

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Legacy of compassion, humor and skill Pediatric dentist Dr. Louis Yarmosky set the standard for excellence

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — If you ask any adult who grew up in Berkshire County where they went for their first dental visit, chances are, they’ll mention Dr. Louis M. Yarmosky.

For nearly five decades, Yarmosky cared for thousands of children and people with special needs across the Berkshires and beyond. He was known not only for his clinical skill but also for his gentle, empathetic approach that left lasting impressions on patients and families.

Yarmosky died suddenly in his sleep on Aug. 30 at the age of 78, leaving a legacy of compassion, humor, skill and dedication that set a standard of excellence for pediatric dentistry in the region.

“He was really all about helping people. … He always treated people with respect, love and empathy,” said Steve Yarmosky, his younger brother and longtime business partner. “He made everybody feel good about themselves, and he backed it up with being just an amazing dentist.”

The eldest of four boys, Louis Yarmosky grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore as a devoted Orioles fan.

He earned his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Maryland Dental School in 1971 before moving to Massachusetts for his pediatric specialty and a master’s degree at Boston University.

During his residency, Louis realized that there were no pediatric dentists west of Springfield. So in 1973, he opened Yarmosky Pediatric Dentistry in Pittsfield, laying the foundation for what would become a destination for families from across four states.

His brother Steve joined the practice in 1980, and the pair later expanded into Great Barrington. Together, the two built a reputation for pediatric dental care that even their peers in adult dentistry recognized and admired.

Yarmosky was a pioneer in early orthodontics and airway health, always seeking innovative ways to improve children’s lifelong health, his brother said. He served as a mentor and educator, teaching at Berkshire Health Systems, chairing continuing education for the Berkshire County Dental Association, and even hosting a local dentistry radio show.

He was also a longtime advocate for water fluoridation, which helps fight dental disease.

“We were very proud of what we accomplished, but it was all in the name of helping people, and that’s the key,” Steve said.

The practice became a true family legacy when Louis’ daughter, Dr. Lauren Ballinger, joined in 2009 and worked alongside him until his retirement in 2020.

“His clinical skills were exceptional, he worked with remarkable speed and efficiency, and patients and parents adored him because he was affable: good-natured, good-humored, funny, kind and approachable,” Ballinger wrote in remembrance of her father. “I never saw anyone work as hard as he did — he brought energy, positivity, empathy, and comedy to the office every single day.”

Above, Dr. Louis M. Yarmosky, a pioneering pediatric dentist who served families in Berkshire County and beyond for nearly 50 years through his practice Yarmosky Pediatric Dentistry, died Aug. 30 at 78. Right, Dr. Louis Yarmosky served as a mentor and educator for dentists in the area, teaching at Berkshire Health Systems, chairing continuing education for the Berkshire County Dental Association and even hosting a local dentistry radio show. Here he is pictured teaching a course for the Berkshire District Dental Society.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MARYANN YARMOSKY

Louis was “universally loved” by their staff, Steve said, and “was always so much fun to be around,” filling the office with dad jokes.

“Louis brought this lightheartedness to work and created a sense of family within the group,” Brittany Duma, a former employee, wrote on Facebook. “He was always uplifting us and if there were problems, he was the one coming up with solutions rather than dwelling in despair.”

But of all his accomplishments, Louis was most proud of his family, said his wife, MaryAnn Yarmosky. Their more than 40-year love story began when MaryAnn brought her young boys to Yarmosky Pediatric Dentistry.

“He said his fantasy girl walked into the office, the most

beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life,” MaryAnn said.

Although the two did not connect for several years, once he found out MaryAnn was divorced, he asked to take her out — along with her three sons, Brian, Kevin and the late Jeffrey French, all of whom he considered his sons, and Lauren. The couple, married in 1985, also had seven grandchildren.

As a believer in laughing every day, he would often sing and dance around the house and was “always happy.”

“We were just the best bud-

dies in the world. … [He was] the most amazing human being,” MaryAnn said. “I have been the most fortunate woman in the world to be loved by this man.”

There was one lady that MaryAnn was jealous of, though — the couple’s bichon cockapoo mix, Luna. After Louis retired, the couple moved to their home in South Orleans, on Cape Cod, where their grandchildren gave them a presentation on why they should get a dog.

“He [was] madly, madly in love with that dog,” MaryAnn said.

“And at five o’clock every

morning, she would get on his pillow, and he said he’d kiss her face first, and then turn her butt, and she would lie there until he finally got up to move.”

Beyond dentistry, Louis pursued many creative passions, from stained glass and photography to boating, gardening, music and travel.

“He was just a really special, wonderful human being, and so caring and loving to everybody around him,” Steve said. “Because he was so happy and had such a great sense of humor, he just attracted love.”

Bondhu to continue, sans building

By Jane K aufman

NEW ASHFORD — Bondhu, an educational restaurant and venue has closed and the historic tavern it occupies off Route 7 may soon be up for sale.

Chef/owner Farah Momen plans to continue Bondhu‘s culinary educational initiatives — representing an intentional focus on the meaning, history and flavors of food and use of ingredients across cultures — and to start a new venture, known as Ancestral Rebel, in collaboration with storyteller-chef Lucy Grignon.

Ancestral Rebel will host dinners in locations across the United States, similar to those Momen has held at Bondhu alone and in collaboration with other chefs.

Momen plans to continue living in the Berkshires, though not in the owners’ apartment at the site — the former Mill on the Floss restaurant.

Bondhu opened three years ago at first as a supper club, then as a restaurant with dinner and brunch service, and finally as an event space for public dinner parties and private events. Bondhu is well known for its Halloween murder mystery parties.

“It’s essentially been a really big experiment for me,” Momen said. “I wanted to make sure I was trying different things and having fun with it while listening to the community.”

She said the pubic dinners were her sweet spot.

“One of my goals with Bondhu as a culinary community space was to center underrepresented food stories,” she said. “And that can be cuisines. It can be culinary storytelling in ways that people might not think of.”

She hopes a new owner will appreciate aspects of the building that she has, which she said is a perfect wedding venue.

“The economics of the building requires a business trajectory that just isn’t super aligned with what I want to do,” she said. “I’ve had some weddings here, but through my experimenting, I’ve learned I want to do more of the learning, educational side of food.”

Momen, 33, was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She graduated from Clarkstown High School North in Rockland County. Her first jobs were at Panera Bread as a barista and baker. She also worked at a place called Just Buns.

After high school, she headed to McGill University in Montreal, where she

majored in geography.

“I would say, Montreal is where I fell in love with food,” she said. “Montreal is just an incredible city to be a student, and at the time, was relatively affordable as well.”

In college she began hosting elaborate dinner parties in her home and in homes of friends.

She finished her master’s degree and got another entrepreneurial support job, but she also landed a television spot on “Top Chef Amateurs.” On her plane ride back from Portland, Ore., to Bos-

ton, she conceived of Bondhu.

“I always kind of wished, could I be in the food world professionally?” she said. “It’s culturally not the most embraced path. I’m Bangladeshi American, and my parents are immigrants, and they worked so, so hard for us.”

Momen has done organizing around Palestine in North County and Pittsfield doing vigils and fundraisers.

“To me, the world is my community,” she said. “Something that is happening 4,000 miles away, 2,000 miles away, 20,000 miles away. I don’t necessarily see that as far because we’re now connected.”

In addition, she established The Now Exchange, a nonprofit in Bangladesh that provides women’s health education and access.

She said she first reached out to Grignon when she started Bondhu.

“She is someone of Stockbridge Munsee descent as well as Menominee,” Momen said. “We had this conversation where we couldn’t believe that we were thinking in this way similarly from very different worlds, very different upbringings.”

The two have since collaborated together on events.

Reflecting on her time in New Ashford, Momen sounded a note of gratitude.

“So the actual name of the space, Bondhu Basha, means ‘friend home,’ ” she said. “And at our dinners, it was one of the most beautiful things to just see people convene. We had a lot of communal style dining — strangers, eating together, meeting.

“I moved to the Berkshires for this,” she said. “And I’m very proud and excited to say I have a community of friends now because of this place.”

‘It’s a

cool spot to be’

Penny Arcade Press to bring art, printing, and community

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — Amanda Johnston grew up helping her father at his Sheffield-based silk screening business, Blue Point Design, creating custom T-shirts for businesses throughout South County.

Now, alongside illustrator and co-owner Seth Williams, Johnston is channeling her early experiences into Penny Arcade Press, a new store, creative studio and community space opening this fall in downtown Pittsfield.

“There’s sort of been a move away from community and from things that aren’t just work,” Johnston said. “Here’s a space where it doesn’t have to be work … you’re also welcome to come and hang out here while [Williams] is printing, while I’m working on something. It’s a cool spot to be and hang out.”

The shop, which will operate during the day and after typical work hours, will sell custom silk-screen printed items wholesale, hats, accessories, home décor and products from other local makers like Roach and Ill Mindset. It will also feature sweatshirts, totes, patches and posters with designs by Williams, who studied illustration.

“I kind of just have a natural need to create art and designs,” Williams said. “I carried what I learned in college into starting a career and making merch, and also combining my graphic design skills for artwork and creating logos for other people … I’m hoping to have a little bit of art that kind of fits everybody.”

Williams hand-dyes all the clothing, while Johnston, a sewer, plans to experiment with handmade pieces using unique fabrics.

But the vision for Penny Arcade Press goes far beyond retail. Johnston and Williams want to create a “third space” where people can gather, collaborate and build community. With the closing of Dottie’s Coffee Lounge and Garden skate and snowboard shop, they hope to fill a void in Pittsfield’s arts and youth culture.

“I feel like in the Berkshires in general, there’s like a real tailoring toward only tourists, which, sort of leaves local people with not as much to do or buy or be part of,” Johnston said. ”There’s clearly this desire for community, and people who are here and looking for it, and shouldn’t they have a full hangout?”

space

From talking with and getting advice from Mike Dell’Aquila at Hot Plate, they are hoping to create a similar “bright, retro, fun” environment tailored toward the city’s young, artsy skater crowd, with arcade machines, books, puzzles, board games, couches, live music and a shared studio on the top floor.

“We love the vibe of Pittsfield,” Williams said. “[But] we think that it could be, and it should be, a better place for artists to be at.”

They also plan to host community classes and workshops at the 136 South St. shop, including drawing nights and clothing dye tutorials. A silk press will be set up in the back of the store so customers can watch the printing process, Johnston said.

Johnston and Williams have already done live printing at community events, which they said drew strong interest, especially from skaters and thrifters.

“People love to see [Williams] printing ... it’s like an immediate, ‘What are you doing?’” Johnston said. “With the skaters, there’s a big overlap with the thrifters and handmade people, and having it made right in front of you is like the next step of shopping small.”

Penny Arcade Press also uses water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly than the plastisol inks used by most major printers, Johnston said.

As they prepare for their fall opening, Johnston and Williams said they are eager to become part of Pittsfield’s growing downtown revival.

“I’m just so excited to have people come and see [the store] and like, be around people,” Johnston said.

New plant shop, art gallery opens

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — Since 2024, Anastasia Drayton has run her pop-up, Foraged and Found, inside the Plant Connector’s West Street storefront.

Now, following the shop’s closure in August, the storefront is hers to transform into Solarium, a plant shop and art gallery.

“Our mindsets are really similar, about focusing on how plants connect people to each other, to the natural world, to create, like a community hub in this space,” Drayton said about Plant Connector owners Bonnie Marks and Emilee Yawn.

“I just want to steward that energy forward in continuing to have this be … a place of inspiration, creativity, but also a place of solace.”

With a background in plant science and horticulture, Drayton creates botanical art — such as paintings, wreaths and terrariums — incorporating foraged plants to “celebrate the beauty of the natural world.”

“Having worked with plant science, it’s so amazing to see repetition in patterns, in tree branches, in the veins of leaves,” Drayton said. “So I wanted to show people that maybe aren’t seeing that every day like I am, how amazing that kind of stuff is close up.”

However, her creations will just be a fraction of the store’s offerings. In addition to plants, Solarium will feature nature-based home decor, selfcare products and work from local artists.

Drayton plans to redesign the center of the 46 West St. space as the Atrium Gallery — an art venue curated by muralist Mike Carty that will feature work from local artists, with its name paying tribute to

Carty’s heart transplant.

“I’m excited about that to kind of meld, like even further, the plant world and the science world, together with art,” she said. “I just [want] to both stick with the theme of nature and also support small, individual

artisans like myself.”

Following Marks and Yawn, Drayton is planning to host workshops on plant care and art, including kid-friendly programs such as fairy house building.

“I really want to have that engagement and excitement [of]

people getting their hands on stuff instead of just buying a plant,” she said. “I want them to come in and create with them.”

Drayton also aims to draw on her plant and soil science degree and two decades of experience by leading educational seminars.

But at the heart of her vision for Solarium is a space where visitors can relax, recharge and linger.

“Working with plants and flowers, creating landscapes, what I really love is creating environments for people where they can take solace, take respite,” Drayton said, drawing from her time in landscape design. “I want people to feel like they’re coming home … If you want to grab one of the books I have on the shelf or just hang out for a bit, that would be wonderful.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to invite other local makers and artists to collaborate, just as Marks and Yawn did for her.

“I feel like I am not central to this, that I will have other makers here for pop-ups,” she said. “Maybe they’re gonna give demonstrations, and [I’ll] just sort of be the facilitator of everybody getting together. That’s what I love.”

The store held a grand reopening on Sept. 19 with a do-it-yourself planting activity.

“I really want to do this for the community,” Drayton said. “I’m just really excited to load it up with plants and have everybody come back in.”

Belvedere Lenox open for ‘diverse use’

By C larenCe Fanto

LENOX — A wedding for 100-plus guests?

A birthday party for a 1-year-old with two-dozen guests?

Belvedere Lenox, a newly renovated two-level event space downtown, is positioning itself as a hub for weddings, birthdays, business gatherings and more — with room for 280 guests inside and 70 more on its patio. The facility at 21 Housatonic St. underwent a renovation and an addition by owner and downtown real estate entrepreneur Drew Davis.

Davis’ managing partner is former Kemble Inn proprietor Scott Shortt.

The venue is an eight-minute walk from 217 guest rooms in the downtown area, according to Shortt. Parking for events hasn’t been an issue to date.

“It was conceived as a purpose-built event space,” Shortt said during a tour of the building this week. “It was a gut renovation, pretty extensive, and it took a long time. Everything was done through the lens of how do you actually execute events here.”

Shortt and Davis declined to provide cost estimates for the purchase of what was the Casablanca boutique site or the cost of the renovation.

“The end result shows a significant level of financial investment and design consideration to create a purpose-built, multiuse, professional grade event space in the center of Lenox,” Shortt said.

During the tour, Shortt pointed out that the main floor, with a capacity of 130, is designed with an acoustic seal to minimize noise so patrons can converse easily. A projector is available for screening videos during events.

The lower level includes a flexible bar and lounge, including a video wall for photo slide shows and other visual presentations. “It’s a way for people to personalize the space, making it their own,” he said.

A commercial kitchen is used by caterers hired by hosts of celebrations such as full weddings, including rehearsals and receptions, birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, bar mitzvahs and other large celebratory gatherings for extended families and friends, as well as business functions.

Shortt designed the interior and served as general contractor during the nearly two-year buildout. “It’s not my first rodeo,” he said, a reference to his major renovation of the Kemble Inn before he sold it.

So far, business is “absolutely tracking to our plan for the first year,” said Shortt. He foresees revenue rising to a plateau in three to five years.

He originally thought the site primarily would support pre- and post-wedding gatherings. But as it turns out, four weddings were booked for this year, and more next year.

“The space performs very well for full weddings, including ceremonies,” Shortt said.

He added, “We’re going to be more bullish about that and promote it more, based on feedback.”

The goal is to work with event professionals, including planners, caterers, photographers, videographers and

florists to spread the word, Shortt said, though some clients contact Belvedere Lenox directly, he added.

“We’re still in the early days,” Shortt said. He said word-of-mouth has been favorable, including positive feedback from servers, bartenders and caterers, as well as from event hosts.

“As people experience different uses, including cocktail parties or intimate dinners, or other types of events, they tell me they didn’t realize how flexible the space is,” Shortt said.

The best-case scenario is that the event space becomes the first choice for all of the area’s lodging establishments — from small inns needing a dining destination for 25 people to larger properties with 100 rooms offering lodging for wedding guests headed to Belvedere Lenox for the ceremonies and celebration.

So far this year, bookings have included 24 guests at a 1-year-old’s birthday party, an 80th birthday party for 53 people, a wedding for 90 and a cocktail party for 150, Shortt said.

Pricing is variable, based on seasonal factors, the day of the week, the week of the year, the number of guests, and the start and end time, including preparation and cleanup, and whether the commercial kitchen will be needed.

For example, a Saturday night in July for just 10 people may be too costly for potential clients, compared to a Thursday in July or a Saturday in November.

An all-day meeting might cost $1,500, while $15,000 would cover a typical wed-

ding — “very competitive in this part of the world, a tremendous value because it’s cost-inclusive,” Shortt said.

Overall, he has been pleasantly surprised that inquiries and bookings for full weddings have topped his expectations.

“Now, I’m not shy at all about booking weddings here,” he said.

“I really do want a rich, diverse use of the space, that’s the reality,” he said. “I

want people to reach out when they have a use, like 7:30 a.m. yoga as part of a wellness week. Ideally, I’d like to have seven events a week here and in the winter, it might include a sewing group. Realistically, it will be more from May through October, and less the rest of the year, averaging two to three a week year-round.”

Maybe, eventually, a pop-up cooking school, Shortt suggested.

Berkshire voices

Don’t push cannabis back underground

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to see that legal cannabis is part of our regional economy in the Berkshires, the same way galleries, trailheads, restaurants and lodging are. It is lawful, tested, tracked and taxed. Towns across the county have built real budgets and real payrolls around this industry. But a 2026 ballot initiative now aims to pull that out of the commonwealth and stuff it back into the shadows. It would end all legal adult-use sales, shut down licensed cultivation and manufacturing, and ban home grow for adults. The proposal keeps decriminalized possession for individuals, yet removes every lawful way to obtain a safe product. That combination does not reduce demand but rather covets and creates chaos. Zoom out to the county level and the picture holds. Berkshire County has surpassed a half-billion dollars in legal cannabis sales since the market opened. That is not a one-off windfall but a steady, local flywheel that supports retailers, cultivators, manufacturers, testing labs, contractors, bookkeepers, HVAC technicians,

drivers, and the restaurants and inns they patronize. It keeps dollars in our towns and visitors on our main streets.

This, obviously, is a good thing.

From North County, to Central County, to South County, cannabis tax revenue pays for, amongst other things, roads, recreation and basic services. These are not abstract figures. They are real dollars coming from responsible and community-enhancing businesses, from Clear Sky in North Adams to Canna Provisions in Lee, to The Pass and our Smash Hits cannabis cultivation in Sheffield and everything in between and throughout the county.

Remove legal sales and the demand and consumption remains. What disappears is simply the tax base and the oversight of ID checks, labeled products, and a point of sale where community standards and safety messages live. Take away regulated storefronts and informal, cash-only markets fill the vacuum, offering zero control, as well as zero benefit to town ledgers. Proponents use the phrase “sensible policy.” I agree with the words and reject the plan. Sensible means keeping the adult-use framework and fixing what needs fixing. That looks like tighter labeling, smarter packaging, and better impaired-driving education. It looks like competitive pricing

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Opponents are aiming to repeal legalized adult-use cannabis through a ballot initiative next year. Columnist Meg Sanders argues a better idea is to fix what needs fixing to make the industry even better rather than pushing it back underground.

so legal products beat the illicit market, consistent enforcement against bad actors, and meaningful support for municipalities so benefits are felt in every budget cycle. Eliminating legal supply while tolerating possession would hand the entire business to unregulated sellers. We understand that certain systems have not been perfect. But our regulatory body is working through internal issues. Testing has been scrutinized and is hopefully improving, but is still better than the alternative. Which would be a lot of “no.” No lab tests. No seed-to-sale tracking. No tax dollars for towns. And no

constraints on an unregulated market where kids are targeted. What protects kids is keeping cannabis in age-restricted, regulated stores, with adults behind a counter and scanners at the door. What we know for sure is that adult use keeps youth usage low. That is the point of IDs, licensing and enforcement. Push cannabis back underground and access becomes easier for the very population you are worried about. You also erase the revenue that funds prevention campaigns and youth programming.

Some have asked whether the medical program remains if repeal passes. The answer

appears to be yes, and that is all it deserves here. But a medical-only legal program will not be a calling card for those seeking general adult-use access, as most adults in the Berkshires are not patients. Local adult-use businesses are currently built on a system voters approved years ago. Closing that system would shutter shops and farms, not refurbish them, and moreover consumers will simply go to neighboring states that retain adult-use access, further causing capital drain from our region. Will this initiative pass? The politics are not on its side, and public support for legal cannabis in Massachusetts and nationally remains solid. The state’s indirect initiative process requires two rounds of signatures and then a high passage threshold on the ballot itself, which means it comes down to the actual votes. And it is an uphill climb. “Unlikely to pass,” however, is not the same as harmless or something to not pay attention to. So what now?

First, do not sign. These petitions would erase a functioning, regulated market and replace it with a fantasy where product appears without any legal supply. That is not sensible, but rather it is incoherent. Share straightforward summaries with friends and neighbors who are on the fence.

Ideas worth spreading — right here

On Oct. 9, the Berkshire Innovation Center will once again welcome the community for TEDx Berkshires 2025. Key to our mission is serving as a crossroads of ideas and thought leadership — where science, creativity and human experience come together to spark conversations that can ripple far beyond our region. TEDx Berkshires bangs that drum as loudly as any event we host. This will be our third TEDx Berkshires at the BIC, and the momentum continues to build. What began as an exciting experiment in 2023 has now become an annual tradition. Each time, the event has proven what we believed all along: that the Berkshires are hungry for bold thinking and big ideas. We are not just a place of natural beauty and cultural institutions, but also a place where innovation and imagination thrive. TEDx gels seamlessly into that identity.

BUILDING ON MOMENTUM

When we first brought TEDx to the BIC in 2023, our motivation was simple. We wanted to create a space where people from different walks of life could gather, listen, and be inspired. The TEDx format — short, powerful talks that distill a speaker’s life’s work or a big idea into a 15-minute story — creates just that kind of atmosphere.

The response over the past few years has been overwhelming. Attendees left with new perspectives, new connections, and, in many cases, a sense of motivation to tackle their own challenges with fresh energy. That is the TEDx magic, and it’s why we are so excited to do it again in 2025.

THE 2025 LINEUP

This year’s slate of speakers represents a wide spectrum of expertise and human experience, but their talks all converge around a central theme: how we can shape a healthier, more creative, and more resilient future.

Dr. Maria Sirois, a renowned psychologist and resilience expert, will ask: Could beauty save the world? Drawing on decades of experience, she will show how cultivating an “appreciation of beauty and excellence” can elevate our health, optimism, and capacity to lead.

Cannabis

Second, insist on facts. If someone claims legalization failed, ask which part failed. Age verification at the counter? Lab testing? Seed-to-sale tracking? The millions flowing to public programs? Evidence matters.

Third, remember what is at stake for places like the Berkshires. Our region has worked hard to weave legal cannabis into the tapestry of a broader four-season economy that respects neighbors and welcomes visitors. Rolling back to prohibition would rip out a healthy strand of that fabric, and potentially, set us back years. I have said before that this industry must be about more than price tags and promotions. It is about trust, sustainability and community benefit that compounds over time. None of that happens under whiplash policy.

Meanwhile, the illicit market does not take a break. If repeal somehow succeeded, demand would still be here the next day, and the only supply would be the one we have spent years displacing. That is not courage or prudence. That is denial. The better path is the grown-up one we have been on: regulate, improve constantly, invest locally, and make the legal experience safer, clearer, and better than any alternative. In the Berkshires, that looks like working with town halls on traffic, signage and compliance; hiring locals; paying living wages; buying from regional vendors; and partnering with tourism and arts. It looks like telling every customer the same thing: enjoy

Dr. Natalie Nixon, a creativity strategist named one of the top keynote speakers in the world, will explore what she calls the “WonderRigor paradox.” She argues that creativity isn’t the sole domain of artists — it’s a strategic advantage for all of us. With her background in anthropology, fashion, and business, Natalie helps us see how wonder and discipline together can unlock new possibilities.

Dr. David Barzilai, a physician and pioneer in longevity medicine, brings his work from the frontiers of preventive health. His talk, rooted in personal experience, reveals how shifting medicine from repair to prevention can transform not only individual lives but the very way we think about health care.

Dr. Damon Diehl, director of technology integration at Luminate, the world’s largest optics and photonics accelerator, offers a deceptively simple message: Time is your only currency. His talk challenges us to reflect on how we spend our days and whether we are investing in lives we would “pay for.”

Dr. Jennifer Le Blond, managing director of Emerging Climatetech at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, will discuss the urgent role that states must play in advancing climate innovation. With federal policy in flux, she highlights how Massachusetts has built — and must continue to build — a global hub for climate tech startups and solutions.

responsibly, do not drive impaired, and keep products locked away from kids.

We already know how prohibition ends. Alcohol and gambling taught that lesson. Problems do not disappear. They retreat into darker corners and spawn new ones. Communities lose control. Regulation, by contrast to the failed War on Drugs, builds trust and keeps responsibility in the daylight.

This fall and next, you will hear plenty of noise about this initiative. Tune out the slogans and look at your own town’s balance sheets and business districts. Talk to the people who work in these businesses and the small contractors who keep them running.

Then do the simplest, most powerful thing we ask of each other in a community. Show up and vote. In Massachusetts, your ballot is not a gesture. It decides whether the Berkshires keep the legal, regulated industry we built together or lurch back toward prohibition. This is a democratic process you can shape, right here in Lee, Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Williamstown, Sheffield, North Adams and every corner of Berkshire County. Trust is the foundation of good retail. Sustainability beats short-term gimmicks. Customer experience is the real differentiator. If we believe those things, we should keep building a market that reflects them. Vote to keep what works. Vote to fix what doesn’t.

And let’s keep the Berkshires cannabis market open for responsible, regulated business.

Meg Sanders is CEO and co-founder of Canna Provisions.

Dr. Manolis Kellis, professor at MIT and one of the world’s leading computational biologists, will take us to the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. In “Cognitive Cartography: Unleashing Human Creativity in an AI World,” he explores how the tools of genomics and AI can map new frontiers — not to replace human creativity, but to unleash it. Together, these voices weave a narrative that is uniquely timely. They address the challenges of health, climate and technology while pointing us toward opportunities to live more resilient, creative and purposeful lives.

WHY HERE, WHY NOW

Hosting TEDx in the Berkshires is not just about bringing world-class speakers to our doorstep. It’s about situating our region within the global flow of ideas. At the Berkshire Innovation Center, our mission has always been to serve as a

bridge: between students and employers, between startups and established companies, between the Berkshires and national networks of innovation.

TEDx fits squarely into that mission. By convening thought leaders on topics as diverse as climatetech, preventive medicine, and artificial intelligence, we give our community a front-row seat to the debates and discoveries that are shaping our world. Just as important, we invite those thought leaders to see what is happening here — in our labs, our classrooms, and our companies.

In an era when so much of the world feels fragmented, gatherings like TEDx remind us of the power of coming together. They create what I like to call “collisions of possibility” — moments when someone in the audience hears something that changes the way they think about their work, their community or their life.

AN INVITATION

TEDx Berkshires will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield. Seating is limited, and I encourage anyone interested —entrepreneurs, educators, students and community members alike — to join us. You’ll leave not just with a notebook full of ideas, but with the kind of energy that comes from being part of something bigger than yourself.

The Berkshires are known worldwide for art, music, and natural beauty. Increasingly, we are also becoming known as a hub for innovation and new ideas. TEDx Berkshires is one more step in that journey. I hope you’ll join us in October to see it firsthand.

Because in the end, TEDx is not just about the speakers. It’s about all of us — what we hear, what we share, and what we decide to do next.

Harvest success with this to-do list

When fall rolls around, nonprofits are propelled into year-end fundraising mode. It’s akin to retailers planning Christmas displays while Halloween sales are still going strong. Here’s a list of things to tackle now before your annual appeal goes out.

Check in with your top donors. They be wondering how you’re faring in this challenging landscape. It would be more than a little awkward to be radio-silent all year only to show up again in December with a request for a donation. Call, email, send a little update, or have a board member reach out to personally thank the donor for their support.

waste any more money mailing newsletters or annual appeals to people who have moved or moved on.

Your local printer should be able to run your entire mailing list through the national change of address list (NCOA) for a modest fee that you’ll recoup in one or two mailings. Executive directors, development directors and board members should all go through the list and add comments. These might range from “they’re divorced” to “This guy never wants to hear from us again.” People know things but sometimes those things never get translated into data integrity.

Get your professional development in. Back-to-school isn’t just for kids. Nonprofit executives often push it off but learning new skills has perks beyond the obvious benefits.

Meeting new people in-person (or online) can lead to new partnerships and collaborations, new resources to pull out when you need them, and successful tweaks to your operation that could make all the difference. Since education is not a luxury, check out upcoming classes at grantstation.org, massnonprofitnet.org, philanthropyma.org, and of course npcberkshires.org.

Attend the MNN Conference on Oct. 22 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Every year, the MNN Annual Conference convenes one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals in the state.

The daylong event includes an engaging keynote session, a wide selection of exciting workshops and expert roundtables, networking opportunities, and the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards. If you’re interested in carpooling with other Berkshire nonprofits, email info@npcberkshires.org to see if we can assist in coordinating. I’ve been to this event many times and there is a palpable feeling of hope and strength in unity, connectivity and learning.

Get on the top-rated list of GreatNonprofits.org. GreatNonprofits is a platform on which volunteers, donors, and people served by nonprofits can share stories of inspiration, express their appreciation, and potentially help nonprofits earn “Top-rated” status.

Claim your nonprofit, invite reviews, get your badge after ten reviews, and share the wonderful testimonials on your web site, in social media, and in your fundraising materials. GreatNonprofits reviews appear on GuideStar, JustGive and other public sites. Eighty percent of donors say reviews influence their giving. It’s understandable since the stories are submitted by people who know you best including clients, donors, volunteers, and others.

Clean up your mailing list. This seems pretty obvious but I still get duplicate or triplicate annual appeal letters from some folks because no one has had the time to go through the database. Don’t

Clean up your databases! If your receivables are lagging, your invoices may be going to the wrong person — you know, the one who left their job a few months ago. No wonder they are 120 days past due! The time spent cleaning up your Quickbooks vendor contacts will come back to you in real dollars.

Consider purging your Mailchimp or Constant Contact databases of anyone who hasn’t opened an email from you in the last six months. Because the cost to use these platforms is based on the number of contacts, anything you can do to reduce or maintain may result in immediate savings.

Review your website. Go page-bypage updating text and photos, checking for broken links, and focusing on the things your potential donors are scoping out such as your staff & board page, your history or about us page, and of course, your donate page.

If you have not yet put up or updated your Candid, GreatNonprofits or Charity Navigator badges, now is a good time to instill confidence in the minds of donors as to your credibility and impact.

Check your grants chart. What deadlines are coming up? Do you need to do a little research to see what’s new? When are grant reports due and have you started collecting the necessary information? If you haven’t yet tried a grant database, you can access Candid’s foundation directory through the Berkshire Athenaeum or purchase GrantStation from NPC for $139.

Leave no stone unturned! Does Berkshire Funding Focus’ Karen Pelto know about your funding needs? Under the umbrella of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Funding Focus (or BFF as we like to call it) was a COVID-era initiative to ensure that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds didn’t bypass Berkshire County.

Now firmly established, it can help you locate funding opportunities, apply for complex state or federal funding, or collaborate with others to apply. Reach out to grants specialist Karen Pelto at kpelto@berkshireplanning.org.

Summer of growth for Berkshire youths

Summer jobs and youth programs open doors to the future. While many youth were at the beach or on vacation this summer, nearly 100 young people were engaged with valuable paid work experience and gained essential work readiness skills. The summer was filled with growth, creativity and connection. From community spaces to classrooms to workspaces, young people worked collaboratively and tackled issues, learning to solve problems, support one another, and contribute to society. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our community and employers.

For decades, the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board and Career Center have been providing these opportunities to train a future workforce while also reenergizing employers. Summer jobs help revitalize the regional economy, reduce crime, and inspire teens to work, thrive, and live in Berkshire County. Here’s two of MassHire’s summer programs:

NORTH COUNTY

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board’s North County program is in its 11th year, providing seven youths with summer internships.

Youth completed work readiness training at MCLA, and participated in 125 hours of paid work experience.

Young people were exposed to business etiquette, customer service, retail, tourism, community organizations and landscaping. Intern Azaezel commented, “I love it here (Roots Teen Center). It’s very safe place and very calm. It’s the kind of place I wanted when I was younger.”

Intern Hunter said, “My favorite part of this job (at Moresi & Associates) is that it keeps me busy and it’s something my dad does so I wanted to try it out — now this is something I want to master.”

Two youths were hired beyond the summer program. Intern Jacob stated, “I like the yard work (at the Porches) — this is my first time mowing and weed whacking and I’m good at it.”

MassHire Internship program host employers included Porches Inn, Lickety Split, Moresi & Associates, North Adams Public Schools and Roots Teen Center, which served as outstanding mentors in these young adults’ lives. The program relies on grants and donations generously provided by MountainOne, A Better Community, Miraval Berkshires, Moresi & Associates, Berkshire Bank, and Crane.

For information about North County internships or any of MassHire youth programs, please contact Heather Williams at Youthdirector@

The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board’s North County program, now in its 11th year, provided seven youths with summer internships. Youths completed work readiness training at MCLA, and participated in 125 hours of paid work experience.

masshireberkshire.com.

YOUTHWORKS

For the past 21 years, MassHire Berkshire Career Center has been implementing YouthWorks, a summer program for youth ages 14-25 to gain life skills and hands-on work experiences to prepare for their future careers.

This summer, there were 86 youths and five peer leaders placed in 32 companies, including A Little Nibble, Aladco, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Berkshire Peak, Berkshire Innovation Center, BRIDGE, Cheshire Youth Center, Christian Center, Girls, Inc, Greenagers, Hilltop Farm,

Habitat Restore, Kimball Farms, Market 32, MassHire, PCTV, Plant Connector, Print Shop, Second Chance Composting, Tot Spot, Tea & Boba, Williams Shop, and Williamstown Public Works.

These young people received small group introductory work placements, structured work experiences, and career pathway support. Skills were measured through comprehensive assessments, career planning, case management and documented on a Massachusetts Work-based learning plan. All YouthWorks participants completed 15 hours of Career Readiness training.

This transformative summer program is part of YouthWorks,

a statewide initiative administered by Commonwealth Corp. and coordinated locally by the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. This program connects teens and young adults with paid work experiences, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities.

“It’s more than a summer job; it’s a launchpad for growth, confidence, and future success,” according to a statement from Commonwealth Corp. “In addition to paid work experiences, youth participate in Signal Success career readiness curriculum which helps to foster communication, self-advocacy, and other essential skills for success.”

YouthWorks provides paid summer job placements and teaches young people how to succeed in a work environment to take their next steps in their education and career journeys.

Keep your eyes out for these amazing young people in the Berkshires.

Youth Works is funded by the Commonwealth Corp.’s Center for Youth Development and Education under the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

For more information on the Pittsfield Youth Works Program and additional youth employment services offered through MassHire Berkshire Career Center, contact Kelly Groves-Skrocki, Youth Services Coordinator at 413-499.2220.

Heather Boulger is executive director of the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board in Pittsfield.

Should you invest in your own demise?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly progressing. I’ve started using AI chatbots regularly in my personal and professional life, and I’m finding its capabilities are getting better by the day. I recently wanted to learn to bake bread. I told the chatbot that I knew nothing about baking and wanted a beginner recipe. I could have Googled it, but the chatbot allowed me to ask questions as I baked. When the loaf came out a little sticky and dense, it suggested more yeast, a few extra minutes in the oven, and a longer rest period. Using these suggestions, the second loaf came out much better. That kind of back-andforth just isn’t possible with a Google search.

I’ve also started using AI professionally. As a financial planner, I can ask AI obscure planning questions and get thoughtful starting points in seconds. I don’t rely on it since errors are still common, but when I already know something about the topic, AI can speed up my research considerably. Is this article written by AI?* Nobody will ever know (smiley face).

With the broad application and rapid evolution of AI, the nature of work will change for many of us. I think anyone who works at a computer can probably find a way for AI to improve their efficiency in some meaningful way.

Beyond just research and writing, AI is already reshaping whole industries. Just a few examples:

• Companies like Verizon, Delta and Bank of America are already reducing call center staff as AI systems take on a larger share of routine questions (even though those automated services are still sometimes incredibly frustrating to me).

• McDonalds and Wendy’s are in a pilot program for AI voice assistants at their drive-thrus, while self-checkout technology continues to reduce cashier jobs.

• Self-driving trucks, powered by intelligent cameras, are

Nvidia, headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., makes the chips and software that power

being developed by Aurora and could reduce long-haul trucking jobs. AI route-optimization software also reduces the need for logistics coordinators.

• AI design tools are increasingly able to create visual content using simple prompts, displacing young graphic designers.

• AI-driven robots used by Amazon in fulfillment centers can pick, pack and sort goods faster than humans, reducing warehouse jobs. AI-powered machine-vision systems now inspect products for defects, replacing some quality-control workers.

• AI diagnostic tools can analyze X-rays or MRIs with accuracy close to that of radiologists, potentially reducing demand for support staff.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

I don’t want to be an alarmist. Every new technology comes with warnings about jobs being

lost, and yet we’ve always found a way to keep creating new jobs. AI has potential for job creation as well as disruption. But there is a realistic possibility that some job functions and people will be replaced by AI. In my field, AI could eventually create a financial plan and replace much of what I do. The key may be to use it to increase efficiency and improve service, not to fight against it. If I can analyze data more quickly, generate meeting notes automatically, and research tax rules without having to scour the internet, maybe I can serve more clients at a deeper level without hiring additional staff. The efficiencies that make me more effective may also reduce the need for more employees.

This is why I suggest that we all “invest in our own demise.”

For one, we ought to invest time and effort into learning how AI can improve our functionality at our jobs. If AI can create an

entire financial plan with a few prompts, I could create plans more efficiently and add value for clients in other ways.

Second, if these tools could eventually replace some of us as workers, we ought to consider investing financially in the companies that stand to benefit. For example, Nvidia makes the chips and software that power AI. Its dominance has made it the largest company in the world.

Thankfully, you don’t have to try hard to invest in companies like Nvidia. If you buy an S&P 500 Index fund, Nvidia will represent more than 7 percent of the holdings of that fund right now. Moreover, the S&P 500 Index includes many investments that have the potential to be huge beneficiaries of the AI revolution.

Microsoft has a major partnership with OpenAI (owner of ChatGPT) and is embedding its Copilot AI into Word, Excel

and Outlook. Apple is building on-device AI for iPhones. Google is using AI to transform search. Amazon, Facebook, J.P. Morgan, UnitedHealthcare… all these behemoths could benefit massively from AI. As they reduce staff and improve efficiency, their share prices could rise as a result.

AI is becoming part of our lives. Those of us who are working need to recognize how we can use AI to improve our job functions. And if you’re worried about being replaced by a robot, as I am, it may be prudent to invest in the companies that stand to benefit the most. If we can’t stop the robots from coming for our jobs, at least we can learn to work alongside them, and maybe even profit from them. *No.

Luke Delorme is director of financial planning at Tableaux Wealth in Stockbridge. Reach him at (413) 2642404 or Luke@TableauxWealth.com.

Unlock savings and comfort with Mass Save

When was the last time you gave your home an “energy checkup?”

For many of us, the answer is “never.”

We change the oil in our cars, get annual physicals at the doctor, and meet with planners for financial investments, but our homes — the places where we spend the majority of our time and money — often get overlooked. That’s where the Mass Save program comes in, offering an easy way to improve your home’s efficiency, lower your bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Mass Save is a collaborative initiative funded by Massachusetts utility and energy efficiency providers. In fact, if you look closely at your monthly utility bill, you’ll notice a small charge for energy efficiency. That fee is what makes the program possible — meaning you’re already paying for these benefits, so it makes sense to take advantage

of them. The mission is simple: help homeowners and renters save energy and money while creating cleaner, more sustainable communities.

Through the program, you can schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment — an expert evaluation of how your house is using (and wasting) energy.

During the assessment, trained specialists test for drafts, check insulation levels, review heating and cooling systems, and even look at the efficiency of appliances and lighting.

The mission is simple: help homeowners and renters save energy and money while creating cleaner, more sustainable communities.

The best part? You’ll walk away with a customized plan that shows exactly how to cut costs and boost comfort. Many upgrades qualify for rebates, incentives, or zero percent financing, making improvements affordable and accessible.

So why is this important? For starters, energy costs continue to rise, and every

wasted dollar is money that could be put toward your family, savings or future plans. A well-insulated, energy-efficient home can save hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars per year. Beyond the financial benefits, upgrading your home reduces strain on the electrical grid, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a cleaner environment for everyone.

Think about it this way: an energy checkup doesn’t just benefit your wallet, it also improves your daily comfort. Drafty rooms, uneven temperatures, and outdated systems can make living in your home frustrating. With targeted upgrades, you can enjoy a cozier, more consistent indoor climate year-round.

Mass Save also helps extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling equip-

ment by ensuring your systems don’t have to work harder than they should. This means fewer repairs, longer-lasting equipment, and peace of mind that your home is running smoothly.

Scheduling an assessment is easy, and the sooner you act, the sooner you’ll start reaping the rewards. Energy efficiency isn’t just a one-time improvement — it’s an investment that continues to pay dividends for years to come.

In Massachusetts, we’re fortunate to have one of the most comprehensive and successful energy efficiency programs in the country. By taking advantage of what Mass Save offers, you’re not only helping yourself — you’re contributing to a statewide effort to use energy smarter.

So don’t wait. Treat your home to the checkup it deserves. Schedule your free assessment, and take the first step toward lower bills and greater comfort.

Ray E. Smith is senior vice president, marketing and communications at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

Real estate transactions

ADAMS

Thomas F. and Carolyn M. Chalifoux sold property at Kingsmont Lane, Adams, to Erin M. Wright, $45,000. Carol Francoeur sold property at 18-20 Crotteau St., Adams, to Shayne M. Johnson, $175,000.

Robert D. and Judith King, trustee of the King Family Nominee RT, sold property at Kingsmont Lane, Adams, to Michael J. Lahey, $45,000.

Jared and Dolores Porter sold property at 115 Commercial St., Adams, to Justin Paul Hathaway, $240,000.

Lancasterhaus LLC sold property at 31 Richmond Lane, Adams, to Jennifer Hansen, $190,000.

Kirby P. and Xavier J. Valentine sold property at 5 North St., Adams, to Adam J. Wright, $255,000.

Virginia H. Dubis sold property at 198 Howland Ave., Adams, to Mathew and Ashley Volpi Ostrowski, $237,000.

Aaron F. and Brianne N. Brassard sold property at 28 Upton St., Adams, to Chastity Gigliotti, $232,000.

Patricia A. Yagmin sold property at 40 Crandell St., Adams, to Rose L. and Ronald R. Mazzeo Jr., $369,900.

Walter and Joseph Rogowski sold property at 41 East Jordan St., Adams, to David J. and Lorry A. Delmolino, $9,000.

Martha E. Beliveau sold property at 16 Summer St., Adams, to Ian Brandon and Jocelyn Nicole Tibbetts, $280,900. Town of Adams sold property at 30 Columbia St., Adams, to Memorial School Redevelopment LLC, $50,000.

Richard W. Tarsa Jr. sold property at 51 Valley St., Adams, to Adam Bethoney, $115,000.

Mark Robert Randall, Carolee Randall Dalton, Kathleen Randall Santeufemio, and Elizabeth G. Randall sold property at 121 Commercial St., Adams, to Dustin Keesler, $200,000.

Robert D. and Judith King, trustees of the King Family NRT, sold property at Kingsmont Lane, Adams, to Jason H. and Jennifer L. Nocher, $50,000.

Ronald A. Mitchell III and Nancy Appel, trustees of the Ronald A. Mitchell Jr. RVT, sold property at 332 West Road, Adams, to Michelle M. Hathaway, $250,000.

Melissa J. Grande sold property at 138 North Summer St., Adams, to Nicole E. St. Germain and Joshua A. Luciani, $185,900.

Mountain Stream LLC sold property at East Mountain Road, Adams, to Matthew and Amy Larabee, $110,000.

ALFORD

Robert J. LeBeau Sr. and Denise M. LeBeau sold property at 268 East Road, Alford, to Tenovations LLC, $315,500.

Joel M. Douglas and Lynn J. Maier sold property at 12 Harrison Calkins Road, Alford, to Joseph Lytle, $975,000.

Samantha Han Marturana and Michael Marturana sold property at 26 North Egremont Road, Alford, to Diana Smith, trustee of Diana Smith Florida Revocable Trust, $1,440,000.

Carter VanAllen Forringer and James Matthew Earl sold property at 293 East Road, Alford, to Phillip Gorth, $1,550,000.

Thomas C. Wessel and Margaret M. McTeigue, co-trustees of Thomas C. Wessel Revocable Trust, sold property at 0 Crooked Hill Road, Alford, to Mahican Meadow Trio LLC, $999,999.99.

BECKET

Michael A. and Loretta M. Murray sold property at 2994 Main St., Becket, to Joshua Stecker and Tamara Pickman, $455,000.

Frederick H. Ratzel III and Betty A. Ratzel, trustees, Ratzel King Family

RVT, sold property at 22 Little John Drive, Becket, to Sahoma Stays LLC, $325,000.

John R. and Rebecca B. Russell sold property at 110 Access Road, Becket, to Lauren B. Roberts, $345,000.

Ronald N. and Susan M. Rauscher sold property at 151 Excalibur Drive, Becket, to Andrea R. Artioli, $236,000.

Marc D. Baker sold property at 179 Hopkins Lane, Becket, to Frank James III and Sarah Daley, $450,000.

Cherie Daniel sold property at Pill Drive, Becket, to Eyal Shapira, $10,000.

Erdim Yilmaz sold property at 132 Dawn Drive, Becket, to Michael Hershorn, trustee, Michael Hershorn RVT, $290,000.

Douglas F. and Donna L. Michalek sold property at Leonhardt Road, Becket, to Jeffery A. and Kelly M. Jourdain, $55,300.

Michael and Susan Paton sold property at Pickerel Close Road, Becket, to Bethany and David Smith Jr., $18,500.

Robert A. Milanese sold property at Moberg Road, Becket, to David A. and Claudia M. Sherman, $14,500.

Robert A. Milanese sold property at Moberg Road, Becket, to David A. and Claudia M. Sherman, $14,500.

CHESHIRE

Jane K. Mongeon sold property at 65 Daniels Terrace, Cheshire, to Nicholas J. Bosio, $232,000.

Dominic P. Carnevale sold property at 901 South State Road, Cheshire, to Shaun A. Phelps, $230,000.

Ellies Holdings LLC sold property at 149 Wilshire Drive, Cheshire, to Harry D. Wilson and Kathleen M. Garvey, $515,000.

Benjamin D. Laroche sold property at 329 Lanesboro Road, Cheshire, to Kristen Negrini and Jeffrey Bourdon, $518,000.

Adam J. and Erin M. Wright sold property at 805 Savoy Road, Cheshire, to Bao Chau Tran Nguyen, $540,000.

Deborah A. Hicks and Danielle M. Monroe, co-conservators for Brian C. Hicks, sold property at 131 Wilshire Drive, Cheshire, to Alicia M. Silver, $500,000.

CLARKSBURG

Michael R. and Darlene A. Lapierre sold

property at 485 North Houghton St., Clarksburg, to Christa M. Tinari and Christopher Shane Durley, $459,900.

Jennifer L. Knoel sold property at 464 North Houghton St., Clarksburg, to Clayton James and Leah G. Najimy, $178,000.

Steven W. and Sandra J. Cote sold property at 51 Fieldwood Drive, Clarksburg, to Michael Alan Zieba, $340,000.

DALTON

Susana Boimare sold property at 13 Norwich Drive, Dalton, to Steven and Dianna Franco, $268,837.50.

Laurie A. Kelly, trustee, Geraldine S. Kelly 2007 Declaration of Trust, sold property at 27 Carson Ave., Dalton, to Patrick Edward Jr. and Amanda Rose Flanagan, $376,000.

Brigid Brown, personal rep. of the Estate of Michael P. Cooney, sold property at 34 Hazelwood Court, Dalton, to Karina Rihani, $361,000.

Anna Korniyets and Erik Matthew Sokolowski sold property at 52 Hemlock Hill, Dalton, to Sharifa Butler and John B. Harwood, $547,500.

Matthew G. Santamaria and Rebecca E. Haight sold property at 127 Carson Ave., Dalton, to Anna Sokolowski, $327,500.

Anthony P. Doyle, commissioner, sold property at 96 Anthony Drive, Dalton, to Richard P. Solis and Thomas Flatley, $251,000.

Black Dog Family Properties LLC sold property at 40 Daly Ave., Dalton, to Hurricane Properties LLC, $525,000.

Brian C. and Margaret D. Eseppi sold property at 7 Whippoorwill Lane, Dalton, to Christopher Michael and Rachel Ellen Brunetto, $595,000.

Bespoke Capital LLC sold property at 83 Curtis Ave. and 12-16 John St., Dalton, and 100 Essex St. and 35-37 Copley Terrace, Pittsfield, to Hurricane Properties LLC, $1,403,000.

Michael and Matthew Cripps sold property at 35 Beverly St., Dalton, to Allison and David Borowsky, $217,500.

Michael Merriam sold property at 68 Tower Road, Dalton, to Lisa Labonte, $290,000.

Jodi M. and Ernest R. Beckwith III sold property at 275 North St., Dalton, to Paul Probine and Meghan MacBain,

$382,000.

Mark T. and Allison L. Bedard sold property at 288 Johnson Road, Dalton, to Richard DeRose, $532,500.

Richard Derose, trustee of the I.G.W.T. 2022 Revocable Trust, sold property at 59 Orchard Road, Dalton, to Mitchell and Ashley Salvini, $485,000.

EGREMONT

Christina Van Hengel and Charles Miller sold property at 119 Egremont Plain Road, Egremont, to Michael and Marilyn Lebowitz, trustees of Michael Lebowitz and Marilyn Lebowitz Living Trust, $700,000.

Kevin Wendell and Katherine Pyles sold property at 270 Hillsdale Road, Egremont, to Nicolas Piris and Lucila Gorosito, $915,000.

Andrew M. Freedberg and Leslie E.Roberts sold property at 32 Ox Bow Road, Egremont, to Victor Hollender, trustee of Victor Hollender 2014 Revocable Trust and to Gretchen L. Hohenstein, trustee of Gretchen L. Hohenstein 2014 Revocable Trust, $3,192,750.

STT LLC sold property at 9 Jug End Road, Egremont, to Alexander Thorp and Elizabeth Keen, $337,500.

Marc Harris Gamsin, trustee of Sharon Gamsin Restated & Amended Revocable Trust, sold property at 33 Creamery Road, Egremont, to Lily B. Turovsky, $655,000.

Thomas L. Brunner and Kathleen Ney Brunner sold property at 66 Main St., Egremont, to Merritt Home Solutions LLC, $85,000.

FLORIDA

Scott E. Fortini sold property at Central Shaft Road, Florida, to Chloe Graf and Caitlin Smith, $37,000.

Steven L. Cote sold property at Moores Road, Florida, to Deborah M. Decoigne, $30,000.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Gentleman Farmer LLC and Givati 18 LLC sold property at 445, 449 & 450 Monterey Road, Great Barrington, to Ensueno Education Group LLC, $695,000.

Sheila E. Shepardson sold property at 75 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington, to Katrina Curtiss, $375,000. Sherri Waggoner sold property at 8

Stanley Drive, Unit A-4, Great Barrington, to Cody Arnold and Mary Rae, $449,000.

Estate of Louise M. Briggs sold property at 39 Christian Hill Road, Great Barrington, to Zoe C. Ayinbora, $250,000. Miriam Rose Shapiro, trustee of Hilda Banks Shapiro Family Trust, sold property at 81 Egremont Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Marco D. Carpenter and Matthew A. Goldshore, $760,000. Glassman-Yu Corp. sold property at 105 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, to JZ Group LLC, $637,000.

Amy Harren sold property at 34 Bridge St., Unit 201, Great Barrington, to Douglas Miller and Ruby Miller, $550,000.

HANCOCK

Gregory V. and Laura E. King sold property at 94 Corey Road, Unit D, Building 9, Hancock, to Alan Finnie and Angeline Chang, $308,000.

James E. Grady sold property at 37 Corey Road, Unit 826, Hancock, to Howard Greenspan, $235,000.

Katherine George sold property at 37 Corey Road, Unit 85, Hancock, to Darrell M. and Michelle S. Colvin, co-trustees of the Darrell M. Colvin and Michelle S. Colvin RVT, $259,000.

Cindy C. and Henry N. Watkins Jr. sold property at Corey Road, Hancock, to Nicholas M.A. and Marlee Rio, $385,000.

HINSDALE

Chad E. and Maureen C. Ezzell sold property at 91 Henry Drive, Hinsdale, to Aaron Lewis, $640,000.

David A. Jewell, personal rep. of the Estate of Arthur W. Jewell, sold property at Skyview Grove, 26 Cove Lane, Hinsdale, to Bartholomew J. Collins and Amy B. Fox, $3,000.

Michael A. Cartelli sold property at Eagle Road, Hinsdale, to Dennis M. Messana, $6,000.

LANESBOROUGH

Kate E Gleason sold property at 139 Bull Hill Road, Lanesborough, to TFPROPERTIESHP LLC, $1,225,000.

D. Peter, Doreen I. and Chelsea Vigue sold property at 19 Bridge St., Lanesborough, to Angela Marie Ryan, $259,900.

Real estate

Keith L. and Paula E. Perry, trustees of the Perry Family NT, sold property at 71 Miner Road, Lanesborough, to Leila Levy, $69,000.

Karen Bruck, trustee of the Karen Bruck 2022 Trust, sold property at 29 Balance Rock Road, Lanesborough, to Louise Falb, $428,500.

Kimberly Sawyer sold property at 60 Summer St., Lanesborough, to Evan and Joy Ruben Welts, $387,000.

Timothy Ryan and Dara Jane O’Neil sold property at 10 Katherine St., Lanesborough, to Nina Ziomek, $958,000.

Ann M. Connors sold property at 11 Squanto Road, Lanesborough, to Jeffrey S. and Susan Jamieson, $380,000.

LEE

William T. and Elizabeth Tierney sold property at 245 Theresa Terrace, Lee, to Dawn E. Simmons, $315,000.

Mary M. Morrissey and Amy M. Hayes, trustees, Mary M. Morrissey RVT, sold property at 60 Paul Drive, Lee, to Christopher A. and Sarah A. Koster, $450,000.

Robin Judd Perry, personal rep. of the Estate of Rita S. Perry, sold property at 350 Laurel St., Lee, to Chalice Elizabeth Mitchell, $290,000.

Ashli Minor sold property at 85 High St., Lee, to Leema 85 High Street LLC, $440,000.

Christopher J. Kinne, personal rep. of the Estate of Janet Desnoyers, sold property at 70 Via Bondi, Lee, to John Scarpa Jr. and Carol Scarpa, $625,000.

Julie Gore Mooney, trustee of the Barbara Davis Gore 2021 Trust, sold property at 50 Stockbridge Road, Lee, to Andre William and Marcia Ann Jaouen, $750,000.

Sandeep, Sadhvi and Mukul Verma sold property at 970 Cape St., Lee, to Eric Palmer, $525,000.

Douglas W. Ackerman and Linda C. McManmon-Ackerman sold property at 477 Greylock St., Lee, to Min Khant and Ma Hnin Yu Khaing, $515,000.

Timothy D. and Janice M. Leprevost sold property at 58 West Center St., Lee, to Peter L. Puciloski, trustee of the West Center Street Trust, $315,000.

Sheryl A. Bercier and Ray J. Cuevas Jr., trustees of the Cuevas Family Trust, sold property at 240 Theresa Terrace, Lee, to Justin W. Pratt and Caroline Roche-Pratt, $400,000.

LENOX

Adrian E.J. Elliot and Ailsa H. Colbert sold property at 4 Stone Ledge Road, Lenox, to Nina Ziomek, $1,150,000.

Mira Renchner sold property at 171 Osceola Notch Road, Lenox, to Michele Renchner, $283,750.

Christine Jordan sold property at 138 Walker St., Lenox, to Ventfort Hall Association Inc., $521,260.

Christopher P. and Veronica J. Fenton sold property at 38 Taconic Ave., Lenox, to John C. and Stephanie Z. Kluka, $1,550,000.

Mary Beth Couch, trustee, Carlson Family NT, sold property at 80 Plunkett St., Lenox, to Nancy Sherman, $502,500.

Fuster Enterprises LLC sold property at 127 Housatonic St., Lenox, to Mark J. Blunda, $475,000.

Shakespeare & Company Inc. sold property at Old Stockbridge Road, Lenox, to Payal Goel and Rajiv J. Chaudhri, $265,000.

David and Alexandra Divis sold property at 73 Birchwood Lane, Lenox, to Julia K. Lenney, $625,000.

Christian L. Selke sold property at 108 Kemble St., Lenox, to Marcia Z. Feuer, trustee of the Marcia Z. Feuer RVT of 2021, $1,600,000.

Timothy Wheeler, personal rep. of the Estate of Robert E. Wheeler, sold property at 874 East St., Lenox, to Andy McMeekin and Robert Roy Jr., $261,500. Finneran Massachusetts Real Estate LLC sold property at 36 Tucker St., Lenox, to Michael D’Amore, $660,000.

Victor and Yelena Antaramian sold property at 76 New Lenox Road, Lenox, to Alejandra Del Sol Lebeau, $555,000.

Shain T. and Elissa R. Bosworth, individuals, and Timothy Bosworth, trustee of the Timothy Bosworth Revocable Trust, sold property at 135 Hubbard St., Lenox, to Tyler Bosworth, $480,000.

MONTEREY

Estate of Linda R. Hebert sold property at 6 Tyringham Road, Monterey, to Emilie West Cohen, $655,000. Ian Cahn-Fuller and Katherine Cahn-Fuller sold property at 617 Main Road, Monterey, to Christopher O. McHugh, trustee of Christopher O.

McHugh Revocable Trust, and Yvonne J. Kruiten, trustee of Yvonne J. Kruiten Revocable Trust, $785,000.

MOUNT WASHINGTON

Lancaster Branch LLC sold property at 223 East St., Mount Washington, to Christopher J. Cotter, $75,000.

NEW MARLBOROUGH

Lorin Levine and Gail Levine sold property at 284 Brewer Branch Road, New Marlborough, to Nicholas Allyn Bartlett and Diana Louise Bartlett, $644,000.

Geoffrey Maynard and Susan Valerie Maynard sold property at New Marlborough Hill Road, New Marlborough, to Milo Stella and Elizabeth Pimentel, $290,000.

Paula A. Ormsbee sold property at Hickey Hill Road, New Marlborough and Sheffield, to Michael C. Johnston, $50,000.

Deborah M. Lyons and David J. Fuchs, trustees of Frank M. Pringle Revocable Trust Agreement, sold property at 258 New Marlborough Center-Sandisfield Road, New Marlborough, to John Landry and Coleencq Landry, $2,875,000.

NORTH ADAMS

Thomas C. Danylowitz sold property at Mohawk Trail, Route 2, North Adams, to Arthur Bentley, $20,000.

Car Haven LLC sold property at 82-84 Bracewell Ave., North Adams, to Elvira McGonagle, $290,000.

HLP Realty Holdings LLC sold property at 541 East Main St., North Adams, to Rebecca A. McKeon and Alyssa R. Smith, $230,000.

Justin P. Hathaway and Michelle M. Briggs sold property at 413 State St., North Adams, to Margaret E. Irvin and Adrien F. Cooper, $290,000.

Jorge and Leticia Guzman sold property at 116 West Main St., North Adams, to Jillian M. and Chester L. Phillips Jr., $250,000.

Roger J. Arigoni Jr. and Rebecca J. Johnson sold property at 33 Brooklyn St., North Adams, to Veronica Parsons, $152,500.

ARPC LLC sold property at 41 Prospect St., North Adams, to Norma Pereira, $81,500.

HLP Realty Holdings LLC sold property at 287 Houghton St., North Adams, to Jesus Leyva and Carol Brussel, $188,000.

The New North Adams LLC sold property at 14-16 Hall St., North Adams, to Berkshire Summit Properties LLC, $330,000.

Jeffrey W. White sold property at 435 Walnut St., North Adams, to Meaghan K. Desilets, $102,663.89.

Hugo V. and Elvia Cabrera sold property at 126 West Main St., North Adams, to Michelle, Randall and Zachary Smith, $310,000.

Mark E. and Cynthia A. Vadnais sold property at 83 Bradley St., North Adams, to Bethany R. Lorge and Jaime L. Hamilton, $420,000.

Ariella Nicole Espana sold property at 129-131 East Quincy St., North Adams, to Joan Bailey and Sean and Heidi Toland, $145,000.

Ann Scott sold property at 55 Franklin St., North Adams, to Stephen H. and Marianne Nelson, $200,000.

Martha W. Mohr sold property at 67 Winter St., North Adams, to Joanne Pendola, $220,000.

Kimberly A. Peters sold property at 23 A St., North Adams, to Sophia Thompson George and Reece F. Racette, $230,000.

Paul T. and Nicole C. Gordon sold property at 19 Elder Ave., North Adams, to Ethan Krysiak and Jenna S. Giorgi, $320,000.

Solid Adobe LLC sold property at 80 Rich St., North Adams, to Peter Glazer and Amy Lindsey, $487,000.

Carol A. LaVigne-Kane, personal rep. of Jean Marie LaVigne, sold property at 96 Cherry St., North Adams, to Brenda DeMaestri, $239,500.

OTIS

Jameson L. Leveille sold property at 23 South Pine St., Otis, to Seth Jordan and Emma Rose Logsdon, $395,000.

Amy Beauchene sold property at 19 Pine Grove Ridge and 115 Pine Road, Otis, to Marc Lichwan, $1,375,000.

Donald B. and Kevin M. Bean, trustees of the Donald F. Bean and Nancy L. Bean Irrevocable Trust, sold property at Route 8, Otis, to Donald B. and Ann Marie Bean, $80,000.

Casey Grande sold property at 71 Kibbe Point Road, Otis, to Scott E. Hagelin, $225,000.

Justin Hagelin sold property at 71 Kibbe Point Road, Otis, to Scott E. Hagelin, $225,000.

PITTSFIELD

R.R.F Investment LLC sold property at 238 Linden

St., Pittsfield, to Israel and Ernst L. Vieux, $275,000.

Warren M. Lucier Jr. sold property at 590 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, to LND Investments LLC, $110,000.

Ryan P. Dugan sold property at 32 Farnsworth Terrace, Pittsfield, to Hailey Boulger and Michael Weslowski III, $276,500.

Linda C. Barry sold property at 135 Imperial Ave., Pittsfield, to Paul Lavalette, $318,000.

Christine K. Bubriski, personal rep. of the Estate of David P. Bubriski, and Christine K. Bubriski sold property at 31 Eric Drive, Pittsfield, to TMR Realty LLC, $125,000.

B.K.E. Services LLC sold property at 27 Worthington St., Pittsfield, to Limitless Ventures LLC, $136,000.

Cally and Broderick Goodwin Jr. sold property at 23 Farnsworth Terrace, Pittsfield, to Rebecca A. St. Jock and Theodore Litourneau, $282,400.

B.K.E. Services LLC sold property at 25 Worthington St., Pittsfield, to Limitless Ventures LLC, $204,000.

John W. Roberts Jr. sold property at 1294 North St., Pittsfield, to LND Investments LLC, $85,000.

David Hutchinson and Bridget Sisk sold property at 229 High St., Pittsfield, to Doris Egan, $940,000.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Inc. sold property at 112 Robbins Ave., Pittsfield, to Binta Kinteh, $225,000.

Theresa C. Costello, trustee, RJCTCC Living RVT, sold property at 390 Partridge Road, Pittsfield, to Reinaldo and Stacy Roman, $625,000.

O’Connell Oil Associates Inc. sold property at 156 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, to Louis A. and Joy C. Costi, $45,000.

Jonathan Dean Helander sold property at 20 Westchester Ave., Pittsfield, to Adam Killbary, $225,500.

Gail E. Senger and Lawrence J. Shea sold property at 145 Union St., Pittsfield, to Jialin Zheng, $285,000.

William D. and Mackenzie D. Kern sold property at 606 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, to Erica Donahue and Megan Elizabeth Kenyon, $350,000.

David P. Reilly sold property at 23 Vin Hebert Boulevard, Pittsfield, to Stephen Papagno and Olivia Larrivee, $320,000.

Jonathan Davey, personal rep. of the Estate of Sally R. Killackey, and Christopher A. Rogers, personal rep. of the Estate of Ralph R. Rogers, sold property at 96 Strong Ave., Pittsfield, to T&E Real Estate Transactions LLC, $169,000.

Cynthia Smith Corbett sold property at 33 Churchill Crest, Pittsfield, to Bridgette Boucher, $285,000.

Peter McCumiskey, trustee, Mary E. McCumiskey 2022 Trust, sold property at 5-7 Calumet St., Pittsfield, to Dennis C. and Laurie J. Caesar, $292,500.

Ruth E. Schofield sold property at 25-27 Root Place, Pittsfield, to Jason Boucher and Gregory Race, trustees, 25 Root Place NT, $135,000.

Keith E. and Bridget M. Roy sold property at 288 East New Lenox Road, Pittsfield, to Stephen Hains, $520,000.

Jacob M. Ellis and Sarah B. Kinney sold property at 237 Eleanor Road, Pittsfield, to Noah D. Kirkman and Abigail M. Lerose, $477,500.

Beth A. Doyle sold property at 979 West St., Pittsfield, to William G. Quigley, trustee, William G. Quigley 2014 Trust, $780,000.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee, sold property at 20 Greenway St., Pittsfield, to Western Mass Construction LLC, $141,000.

Frank James III and Sarah Daley sold property at 88 Newell St., Pittsfield, to John Avanzato and Jennifer L. Pulaski, $267,000.

Henry Churchill sold property at 26 April Lane, Pittsfield, to James Czajka, $285,000.

BMS Mass Properties LLC sold property at 77 King St., Pittsfield, to Gillary Rodriguez-Cruz and Anthony Rodriguez, $250,000.

Monique M. Mullaney-Senecal, Annmarie C. Cairns and Christine M. Chaffee sold property at 184 McIntosh Drive, Pittsfield, to Nathan A. Jamroga and Rebecca Nicholson, $365,000.

Hahna Kim sold property at 12 Boison St., Pittsfield, to Owen Gagne, $265,000.

Keith L. and Paula E. Perry sold property at 92 Leroi Drive, Pittsfield, to Christopher P. and Veronica J. Fenton, $500,000.

Susanne M. Rice, Mary Ann Davis, Christie M. Zalewski, Caitlyn Kline, Philip Janchuk III, and Michael A. Janchuk Jr. sold property at 186 Lenox Ave., Pittsfield, to Ian V. Laurin, $230,000. Francis J. Eulian sold property at 62-64 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, to Property Manager AB LLC, $260,000.

92 Dalton Ave LLC sold property at 92 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, to Anthony Raul Villalobos, $450,000.

Shelley Ann and Steven Richard Cross, and Elizabeth Ann Catipovic, trustees, Anna L. Cross NT, sold property at 11 Laflin Terrace, Pittsfield, to Patricia L. Lee, trustee, Patricia L. Lee Living Trust, $360,000.

James F. Duffy Jr. sold property at 89 Exeter Ave., Pittsfield, to Venkata Natarajan, $380,000.

Scott M. Blanchette Jr. and Megan K. Hill sold property at 11 Leslie Drive, Pittsfield, to Alec Liam Bergweiler and Abby Elizabeth Klein, $356,000. Robert E. Lamarre, trustee, Lamarre Family NT, sold property at 50 Williamsburg Terrace, Pittsfield, to Aaron S. Nicholson, $285,000.

Michael B. Loveman, trustee of the Elaine G. Loveman RVT of 2009, sold property at 70 Saratoga Drive, Pittsfield, to Natalie J. Sala and Evan Good, $370,000.

Susan L. Coles, personal rep. of the Estate of Margaret T. Coles, sold property at 37 Cole Ave., Pittsfield, to Nicole Fiore, $300,000.

Darleen M. Zradi sold property at 3 Vin Hebert Boulevard, Pittsfield, to Molly Moulton, $255,000. Ellies Holdings LLC sold property at 32 Hampshire St., Pittsfield, to Robert and Virginia Kennedy, $300,000. Kristen M. Negrini sold property at 4 Beaumont Drive, Pittsfield, to Denise M. and Robert J. Lebeau Sr., $255,000.

Sean and Alana Iman Harte sold property at 17 Crane Ave., Pittsfield, to Charles W. Lowery III, $292,000.

Harry Donald Wilson sold property at 9 Dwight St., Pittsfield, to Tina Kopec, $205,000. 160-189 North St. Pittsfield MA LLC sold property at 36 Division St., Pittsfield, to 36 Division St. LLC, $250,000.

Cassidy L. Tatro sold property at 5 Stevens St., Pittsfield, to Jessica Levy, $235,000.

Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church sold property at 163 Linden St., Pittsfield, to Librarium of Curiosities LLC, $55,000.

Giovanny Tintin and Mirian Del Rocio Miranda Galarza sold property at 25 Alpine Trail, Pittsfield, to Bruder Sohl Ventures LLC, $587,000.

Bespoke Capital LLC sold property at 100 Essex St. and 35-37 Copley Terrace, Pittsfield, and 83 Curtis Ave. and 12-16 John St., Dalton, to Hurricane Properties LLC, $1,403,000.

Robert F. Powers sold property at 106 Sampson Parkway, Pittsfield, to Leydet Properties LLC, $267,500.

Real estate

Carolyn M. Kaplan sold property at 34 Bryant St., Pittsfield, to Sylvia BirnsSprague, $264,000.

David L. and Jennifer A. Mason sold property at 42 Briggs Ave., Pittsfield, to Emily Bigelow and Brianne Gallup, $210,000.

Zoe C. Ayinbora sold property at 97 Lenox Ave., Pittsfield, to Nickolas Carpenter, $201,500.

Bonnie J. and T. Neal Burton II sold property at 1 Pheasant Way, Pittsfield, to Sebastien Salzmann and Laura Marin Ruiz, $805,000.

Brian C. Jezewski sold property at 927 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, to Misaben and Meet Patel, $388,000.

Limitless Ventures LLC sold property at 27 Worthington St., Pittsfield, to B.K.E. Services LLC, $170,000.

Disantis Enterprises LLC sold property at 224-230 Wahconah St., Pittsfield, to HMA Properties LLC, $75,000.

Michael and Heather Jefferson sold property at 109 Euclid Ave., Pittsfield, to Christian J. Robitaille and Alissa L. Rosier, $287,500.

Nathan G. and Migdeliz Girard, trustees of the Nathan and Migdeliz Girard Living Trust, sold property at 15 Westbrook Terrace, Pittsfield, to James and Monica Curtiss, $1,500,000.

David C. and Anne E. Sutherland sold property at 377 Pomeroy Ave., Pittsfield, to William H. and Barbara D. Catalano, $430,000.

Mark D. Kim-Pryzby sold property at 33 Quirico Drive, Pittsfield, to Michael Merriam, $335,000.

Tury S. Cruz and Ivan A. Ospina sold property at 115 Crane Ave., Pittsfield, to Justin C. Bolio, $287,000.

Kaitlyn M. Walton sold property at 60 Donna Ave., Pittsfield, to Donovan D. Reynolds and Marcia B. Caldwell-Taft, $310,000.

David C. Sutherland sold property at 100 Anita Drive, Pittsfield, to Andrew Germann, $431,000.

Barnet D. Stein sold property at 65 Roxbury Ave., Pittsfield, to Mindy G. Miraglia, $275,000.

Kevin J. and Caroline Collins sold property at 58 Auburn St., Pittsfield, to Maurice J. and Michele Davis Collins, $450,000.

Cameron R. Sibley sold property at 48 Preston Ave., Pittsfield, to Susan L. Martino, $325,000.

Mark N. and Michele J. Fegley, trustees of the Fegley Trust dated Sept. 23, 2011, sold property at 1450 North St., Pittsfield, to Jon and Mary Laing, $262,000.

Kevin J. and Cynthia F. Dinan sold property at 107 Mill St., Pittsfield, to Ryan McAteer, $160,000.

Todd B. and Lisa M. Loehr sold property at 785 East New Lenox Road, Pittsfield, to Erik J. and Shane Ray, $394,900.

Robert A. and Karen M. Cassidy, Gayle C. Colpoys, Michelle L. Mazzeo, and

Karen M. Cassidy, personal rep. of the Estate of Julee Anne Cassidy, sold property at 72 Melbourne Road, Pittsfield, to Karen M. Cassidy, trustee of the 72 Realty Trust, $385,000.

Joanne Conroy sold property at 109 Linden St., Pittsfield, to Yakov Kronrod, $9,000.

Flagstar Bank N.A. sold property at 4 Tierney Place, Pittsfield, to Yakov Kronrod, $118,111.

Albert T. and Jannine A. Doyle sold property at 27 Wellington Ave., Pittsfield, to Jordao’s LLC, $50,000.

Joseph F. Hughes Jr. and Mary B. O’Brien sold property at 35 Weller Ave., Pittsfield, to Lisa Polidoro, $275,000.

Steven J., Mark A., Michael, and Irene McClusky sold property at 50 Harding St., Pittsfield, to Anne Chetambe, $249,000.

Carriage Funeral Holdings Inc. sold property at 36 and 40 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, to C.R. Rental LLC, $475,000.

Andrea Pozzoni, trustee of Andrea and Lorenza Pozzoni Nominee Realty Trust, sold property at Mystic Street, Pittsfield, to Michael Griffin, $5,000.

Abbie J. von Schlegell, trustee of the Abbie J. von Schlegell Trust, sold property at 83 Hancock Road, Pittsfield, to John Wendling, $620,000.

Christine Reis Fiegel, personal rep. of the Estate of Donald C. Clark, sold property at 54 Dutchess Ave., Pittsfield, to Kayla Doyle, $260,000.

Linda J. Morelli sold property at 5 Grant St., Pittsfield, to Jesse and Tiffany Moreno, $292,000.

Ellen T. Maxon and Jane E. Ralph, trustees of the Maxon-Ralph Family 2022 Revocable Trust, sold property at 7 Aberdeen Road, Pittsfield, to Joseph F. Hughes Jr. and Mary B. O’Brien, $305,000.

Kelvin O. Santos sold property at 8 Newton Ave., Pittsfield, to Edgar Rolando Delgado Torres and Keysa Santos-Delgado, $280,000.

RICHMOND

Bonnie Marie D’Andrea sold property at Birch Road, Richmond, to Alex Glenn-Murray, $7,500.

Darrell M. and Michelle S. Colvin, trustees, Darrell M. Colvin and Michelle S. Colvin RVT, sold property at 87 Furnace Road, Richmond, to Craig and Tracy Olsen Crawford, trustees, Crawford Family RVT, $445,000.

Michael Jon Jr. and Jennifer E. Kolean sold property at 1488 State Road, Richmond, to 1488 State LLC, $2,030,000.

Timothy and Allison Kearns sold property at 129 Shore Road, Richmond, to Amanda Lawrence, $387,500.

Joseph and Kristin Macutkiewicz sold property at 13 Pine Road, Richmond, to Bessie Young, $266,000.

Kathleen A. and Kenneth G. Dempsey sold property at 10 Elm Road, Richmond, to Judith and Michael Katzman, $410,000.

Marcia Z. Feuer, trustee of the Marcia Z. Feuer RVT of 2021, sold property at 2562 and 0 Swamp Road, Richmond, to

CF Berkshires LLC, $3,870,000.

Jenny L. Baltazar sold property at 627 Lenox Road, Richmond, to LND Investments LLC, $450,000.

Ellies Holdings LLC sold property at 56 Grist Mill Road, Richmond, to Thomas W. Forstner and Jenny L. Baltazar, $650,000.

Carol B. Ducas sold property at 29 Osceola Notch Road, Richmond, to Shira L. Nichaman, $654,000.

SANDISFIELD

Nicholas D. Giardino and Michele B. Lederberg sold property at 11 Jamie Lane, Sandisfield, to Craig A. Strathdee and Lesley Strathdee, $785,000.

Nicholas Allen Browne sold property at 9 South Sandisfield Road, Sandisfield, to Joseph Roth and Barbara Roth, $125,000.

Ronald C. Pachulski sold property at 42 West Hubbard, Sandisfield, to Ellen L. Underwood, $310,000.

SAVOY

J. Paul Sebring and Joan Wotkowicz sold property at 486 New State Road, Savoy, to Amanda Beckwith and Heather Quire, $400,000.

Theresa J. Massey, Dorothy A. Powers and John J. Haczela Jr. sold property at 27 and 0 Windsor Road, Savoy, to Robert Welz, $30,000.

Parry C. Williams sold property at 50 Scott Road, Savoy, to Kurentsa O. and Robin J. Thompson, $70,000.

SHEFFIELD

Sunset Meadow North LLC sold property at 0 South Main St., Route 7, Sheffield, to Karen L. Matthews, $342,000.

Robert L. Boyett Jr., trustee of Cooper Hill Farm Nominee Trust, sold property at 700 Cooper Hill Road, Sheffield, to Laurie Grusauski and Marcia Beth Hammond, trustees of Hammond-Grusauski Nominee Realty Trust, $1,050,000.

Mildred E. Norton sold property at 339 Clayton Road, Sheffield, to Matthew R. Sermini Sr., $168,000.

Edwin J. Dobson sold property at 163 Main St., Sheffield, to Amy E. Harren, $475,000.

Paula A. Ormsbee sold property at Hickey Hill Road, Sheffield and New Marlborough, to Michael C. Johnston, $50,000.

Rev. Dr. Douglas John Fisher and Rev. Elizabeth Fisher sold property at 1900 Home Road, Sheffield, to David Austin and Tammy Yuen, $805,000.

Elaine B. Panitz, trustee of Elaine B. Panitz Revocable Trust, sold property at 360 Brush Hill Road, Sheffield, to Anna Kamen, $1,500,000.

STOCKBRIDGE

Echo Valley LLC sold property at Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, to Stephen and Donna Brunnquell, $300,000. John C. and Judith E. Peyron sold property at 8 Interlaken Road and Larrywaug Cross Road, Stockbridge, to Larry M. and Billie A. Chernicoff, $828,000.

Sanford C. Gordon, trustee of the Garet M. Gordon RVT, sold property at 44 Prospect Hill Road, Stockbridge, to Kevin Michael Sheys and Sonia Arenaza, $1,205,000.

Anna Pasternak and Marc Zimmerman, trustees, Article Second (B) Trust FBO Anna Pasternak (Non-Retirement) Under the Will of Gavril William Pasternak, sold property at Mahkeenac Road, Stockbridge, to David Avrum Pasternak and Marc Zimmerman, trustees, Article Second (B) Trust FBO David Avrum Pasternak (Non-Retirement) Under the Will of Gavril William Pasternak, $13,000.

Rosemary Bitetti Orr, trustee of the Revocable Living Trust of Rosemary Bitetti Orr, sold property at 85 East Main St., Stockbridge, to Harold E. and Joyce H. Benz, $750,000.

L. Reuven Pasternak sold property at 27 Mahkeenac Road, Stockbridge, to Anna Pasternak and Marc Zimmerman, trustees of the Article Second (B) Trust FBO Anna Pasternak (Non-Retirement) Under the Will of Gavril William Pasternak, $26,000.

TYRINGHAM

Helen Baldassare sold property at 18 Cooper Creek Road, Tyringham, to Michael S. and Lauren M. Klein, $1,050,000.

WASHINGTON

Leo Ray Stout sold property at 64 Blotz Road, Washington, to Christopher and Rebecca Baldyga, $473,000.

Mary F. Courtney, as conservator for Lillian M. Fox, sold property at 768 Washington Mountain Road, Washington, to Gerry Joseph and Michael Wayne Welch, $150,000.

WEST STOCKBRIDGE

Senta Reis and Heather N. Alston sold property at 26 High St., West Stockbridge, to Shailaja P. Rao, $435,000.

Lisa M. Decubellis sold property at 18 Glendale Road, West Stockbridge, to Johanna Wise and Brett R. Shiel, $800,000.

Dale Emil Stackhouse, trustee of Max Lynn Stackhouse 2006 Revocable Trust, sold property at 256 Great Barrington Road, West Stockbridge, to Alexander Taupier and Erica Taupier, $667,500.

Michael J. Farina and Kristina M. Farina sold property at 45 State Line Road, West Stockbridge, to Jourdan Messenger and Tristan Hadley, $472,000.

Mary Kornman sold property at 0 Great Barrington Road, West Stockbridge, to John Chambers Christopher, $172,000.

AJC Makana LLC and Aldrich Maple LLC sold property at 55 & 0 Maple Hill Road, West Stockbridge, to Aldrich Maple LLC, $2,300,000.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Mary K. Bryant sold property at 495 Main St., Williamstown, to 495 Street Main LLC, $200,000.

David Little sold property at 4 Woodlawn Drive, Williamstown, to Mackie H. Siebens and David P. Lindholm, $750,000.

Murad Khan Mumtaz and Alyssa Pheobus sold property at 21 Berkshire Drive, Williamstown, to Erik N. Kessler and Kathryn I. Wheeler, $645,000.

The New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church sold property at 518 Water St., Williamstown, to Paul O. and Maryblessing A. Nnodim, $469,000.

Angela Marie and Maxx Ryan sold property at 1127 North Hoosac Road, Williamstown, to Krystal Napravnick, $300,000.

Daniel Hong and Sulgi Lim sold property at 206 Sand Springs Road, Williamstown, to Daniel Byers, $526,000. Krugerrands Holdings LLC sold property at 1015-1017 Simonds Road, Williamstown, to Brandon J. Burnham, $100,000.

Deborah E. Currie, trustee of the 20 Woodlawn Drive NT, sold property at 20 Woodlawn Drive, Williamstown, to Xizhen Cai, $580,000.

Karen A. Pellegrini and Robert W. Kampe sold property at 22 Luce Road, Williamstown, to Eamonn F. and Kathleen S. Hughes, $465,000.

Jonathan W. and Mary E. Miller sold property at 22 Bridges Road, Williamstown, to Michael Cogswell, $326,500.

Zakary R. Mervine and Georgia G. Borner sold property at 404 North St., Williamstown, to Joellen Altschaefl, $400,000.

Jean Kirsch, trustee of the Jean E. Kirsch RVT Agreement, sold property at 1471 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, to Jeffrey J. and Jenifer M. Dias, $479,000.

Julita Ewa Boland sold property at 191 Luce Road, Williamstown, to Elisabeth M. Pike, $395,000.

Christopher J. and Lori M. Kapiloff sold property at 726 Simonds Road, Williamstown, to Jacob E. and Rebecca Reisler, $275,000.

Omar Sangare sold property at 137 Stratton Road, Williamstown, to David R. Collins, $495,000.

Reinhard A. Wobus, trustee of the Erik Wobus 2020 Trust, sold property at 189 Stratton Road, Unit D-3, Williamstown, to Timothy and Rita R. Webb, $222,500.

Andrew S. Krotinger, trustee of the Madelaine S. Reuter Trust-2007, sold property at 221 Bulkley St., Williamstown, to Todd R. Fernandez and Catherine A. Moore, $1,700,000.

Emily Kloeblen sold property at 234 Sweet Farm Road, Williamstown, to Robyn Cooper, trustee of Robyn Cooper 2025 RVT, $220,000.

FT — Family Trust

LLC — Limited Partnership

LT — Life Trust

NT — Nominee Trust

RET — Real Estate Trust

RT — Realty Trust

RVT — Revocable Trust

The real estate transactions are provided by the Middle Berkshire, North Berkshire and South Berkshire Registry of Deeds offices.

People in the Berkshires

Greylock Federal Credit Union has hired William A. Fontes, vice president and manager of business banking. Fontes brings comprehensive experience in strategic leadership and vision in commercial banking.

“Bill’s extensive commercial lending experience and approach to understanding and meeting the needs of businesses made him the perfect choice for the job. His depth of expertise and leadership will be a tremendous asset to the communities we serve,” said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, senior vice president, chief lending officer, in a prepared release. She said Fontes was hired after an extensive national search.

As a key member of the commercial lending department, Fontes will lead Greylock’s business banking team while building relationships and strengthening services for ]members through commercial lending and business banking products.

Fontes also will provide critical leadership through strategic oversight and expansion of Greylock’s annual business development plan and goals for local markets.

“Bill joins us after a remarkable 12-year tenure at Easthampton Savings Bank, where he held the position of senior vice president. During his time at ESB, Bill managed to create a relationship-driven and diverse portfolio,” said Rathbun-Briggs. “Bill has successfully led a large team of lenders and has extensive experience in commercial lending. His approach to meeting the members’ needs and his passion for coaching those around him to be their best selves were compelling reasons we knew Bill was the right fit for the job.”

Fontes holds a master of business administration in finance and entrepreneurship from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. His community interests include economic development, affordable housing, youth sports and outdoor activities.

Community Access to the Arts has hired Marybeth Johnson as development director. She joins a newly expanded fundraising team at the nonprofit.

Johnson will work closely with Executive Director Margaret Keller to expand CATA’s fundraising activities and oversee the organization’s donor relations program, furthering its mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through the arts.

Additional new roles and hires at CATA include Kelly Rybczyk, CATA’s former development director, who takes on a new role as gift officer, as well as Daniella Santamarina, who joined CATA as development associate in April.

CATA (Community Access to the Arts) has dramatically expanded programs serving people with disabilities in recent years, with an innovative, community-based model rooted in strong partnerships with

disability agencies, day-habilitation programs, residences, and schools.

It currently provides more than 2,800 arts workshops annually for 1,250 children, teens, and adults with disabilities in painting, dance, acting, songwriting, drumming, creative writing, juggling, yoga, and more.

Johnson has over 20 years of executive experience in nonprofit development, with a focus on building relationships, inspiring generosity, and championing the arts.

Most recently, she served as director of institutional advancement at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, N.H., where she led a team that raised over $10 million in capital and endowment support, expanded its annual contributed revenue by 28 percent, and grew its membership base to over 4,000 members annually.

Her career also includes leadership roles in fundraising and marketing with orchestras in Cincinnati, Baltimore and Winston-Salem, N.C., as well as major gift fundraising for performing arts programs at both The University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“I’m thrilled to join CATA and to champion its mission of celebrating and amplifying the voices of artists with disabilities,” she said. “It’s an honor to be part of such a creative and inclusive community.”

Johnson’s passion for the arts began in her childhood in Virginia, where her parents, both thespians, immersed her in theater and music from an early age. Outside of her work at CATA, Johnson enjoys yoga, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, and playing the cello.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has hired three new faculty members for the college’s fall semester: Amr (Elkabbany) Ibrahim, Muge Karabag and Amanda Davis Ibrahim, Ph.D., Pharm.D., joins MCLA’s chemistry department as a visiting assistant professor.

A medicinal chemist, his research focuses on the design and synthesis of small-molecule antivirals and the use of structure-based drug design to interrogate host–virus interactions.

with a background in broadcast journalism and digital communication. Karabag previously worked as a reporter and news anchor for television channels in Istanbul and served as an assistant university professor in the Department of New Media and Communication in Turkey.

Karabag’s research interests include artificial intelligence, interspecies communication, AI and society, technology and society, and the impact of digital applications on social behavior. She is also developing a digital services startup focused on home-based solutions in the United States, exploring the intersection of technology, user experience, and everyday life.

Davis is a part of MCLA’s nursing department, where she combines her love for teaching with her years of hands-on nursing experience as a visiting assistant professor of health professions. She earned her master’s degree in nursing education and has served as the simulation coordinator for the MCLA nursing program, nurse leader for the North Adams Public School System, and as a medical-surgical nurse.

Passionate about end-of-life care, oncology, and school nursing, Davis strives to prepare future nurses through engaging, realistic simulations and a focus on compassionate, evidence-based practice.

In both lecture and clinical settings, she emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking and strong clinical judgment to help students develop both the skills and the heart needed to provide exceptional patient care.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has named Bailey Prescott as its new human resources officer.

In this role, Prescott will oversee human resources initiatives that support employee engagement, professional development, and organizational growth.

As part of the business banking team, Ganci will originate and underwrite commercial loan products and collaborate on business development activities, serving as a trusted adviser for Greylock’s members by providing insight and support to small businesses.

Ganci will interface with loan applicants, act as account officer for existing credit union relationships, and manage all aspects of business development.

Ganci has nearly 25 years of experience in business banking. Her more recent role was vice president at PeoplesBank where she managed a robust portfolio of client relationships, developed new and expanded existing relationships, and worked closely with branch partners to provide solutions to both new and existing clients.

An active participant at her church and children’s schools, Ganci holds an associate deg ree in business from Greenfield Community College and has completed extensive coursework in business/financial management, psychology and sociology from Westfield State University.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has named Kaylin Choquette as vice president, mortgage loan officer. With more than 15 years’ experience in the industry, Choquette brings extensive knowledge, dedication and a proven track record of excellence to her new role. Throughout her career, Choquette has consistently helped clients navigate the home financing process with confidence and care, delivering results and personalized service to every borrower.

In her new position, Choquette will focus on helping homebuyers throughout the Berkshires achieve their financial goals by providing tailored mortgage solutions and guidance every step of the way.

years of experience in commercial banking. In his role, his primary focus will be to manage a growing loan portfolio, generate new business opportunities, and remain actively engaged in community and charitable organizations. A resident of Weymouth, Osuch is a board member of the Weymouth Chamber of Commerce and the Hanover Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved in Weymouth youth sports programs, currently serving as coach for Cal Ripken baseball, youth basketball, soccer and flag football.

He most recently served as vice president, commercial loan officer, with Rockland Trust. A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in economics, he continued his education, earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Roman, of Pittsfield, has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the insurance agency’s personal lines operations with her strong leadership and operational expertise. She has led the agency through acquisitions, data conversions and the creation of more efficient workflows.

Roman’s problem-solving instincts and ability to improve both client and employee experiences make her an invaluable member of the leadership team.

Berkshire Bank has appointed Janice Ward as senior vice president and head of fiduciary services to lead the bank’s fiduciary activities including its trust business.

Ibrahim’s expertise spans organic synthesis, SAR, computational modeling, and ADME profiling, and he is committed to mentoring undergraduates through research that bridges chemistry and biology. At MCLA, he will teach biochemistry and related courses while building collaborations that provide hands-on, publication-quality experiences for students. Karabag joins MCLA as a visiting assistant professor of multimedia journalism. She is a media scholar and practitioner

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a management and leadership major, and a minor in human resources from Western New England University. Prescott began her career in human resources in 2022 and previously served with the coop from 2022-2024, where she played a key role in recruitment, employee relations and building workplace culture. Her experience in fostering collaboration and supporting staff development has prepared her to take on this leadership position.

Amy K. Ganci had joined Greylock Federal Credit Union’s business banking team as vice president, business banking officer.

“Kaylin has established herself as the Berkshires’ top mortgage originator, and we are excited to have her on our team,” said Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. “Co-op Bank is committed to attracting the region’s top talent that will help customers achieve their homeownership and financial goals.”

She actively volunteers in the community, including working with the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Westside Legends in Pittsfield to support and promote homeownership locally.

MountainOne has appointed Thomas Osuch as vice president, commercial loan officer, at MountainOne Bank, and promoted Stacy Roman to vice president, personal lines operations manager, at MountainOne Insurance. Osuch joins MountainOne Bank with more than 18

Ward, a certified financial planner, previously served as first vice president and trust officer at Greenfield Savings Bank, where she was a member of the bank’s senior leadership team overseeing all fiduciary activities.

Ward’s other prior experience includes serving as senior fiduciary officer in Berkshire Bank’s wealth management department based out of Lenox, and chief wealth management officer at Citizens & Northern Bank in Wellsboro, Pa.

A resident of Pittsfield, Ward earned her law degree from Western New England University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She is co-founder and former president of the Estate Planning Council of the Berkshires.